Tribal Radioactive Materials Transportation Committee Meeting | Agenda and Presentations

Jan. 25-26, 2018 | Omaha, Neb.

The Tribal Radioactive Materials Transportation Committee (TRMTC) met Jan. 24-26, 2017, in Omaha, Neb., at the Doubletree by Hilton Downtown hotel. This meeting brought together ­­­­­­­­­­­­­the TRMTC members with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management. Its composition offers a unique perspective on the broad range of issues surrounding transportation or storage of radioactive materials and spent nuclear fuel. The NCSL provides staff support to this group through a cooperative agreement with the DOE.

Wednesday, January 24

 U.S. Department of Energy Program Updates

• Albert “Brandt” Petrasek – director, Tribal Programs, Department of Energy, Office of Environmental Management

 Current Status of Nuclear Waste Issues and Policy Development

• Mike McBride, partner, Van Ness Feldman LLP | Presentation

NTSF-related Reports and Annual Meeting Updates

Updates on the upcoming NTSF Annual Meeting in Omaha, NE 2018.

• Joanne Lawrence, director, Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management, Office of Packaging and Transportation
• Demitrous Blount, program lead, National Transportation Stakeholders Forum (NTSF), Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management, Office of Packaging and Transportation

State Regional Group Updates

• Chris Wells, assistant director, Nuclear Programs, Southern States Energy Board (SSEB)
• Lisa Janairo, program manager, The Council of State Governments (CSG)- Midwest 
• Katelyn Tye, policy analyst, The Council of State Governments (CSG) - Midwest 
• Uldis Vanags, project director, The Council of State Governments (CSG) - Northeast
• Melanie Snyder, attorney/policy analyst, High-Level Radioactive Waste Program, Western Interstate Energy Board (WIEB) 

Federal Railroad Administration Updates

• Lawrence (Mel) Massaro, railroad safety specialist, Radioactive Materials/Hazardous Materials, Federal Railroad Administration
• Jeffery Moore, railroad safety specialist, Hazardous Materials, Federal Railroad Administration
• Mark Maday, staff director, Federal Railroad Administration

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Updates and Q&A

• Stuart Easson, tribal liaison, Nuclear Regulatory Commission | Presentation
• David Pstrak, branch chief, Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Gerry Jackson, transportation security specialist, Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Thursday, January 25

 TRMTC Executive Session

 BNSF Tribal Relations and Railroad Safety

• Chris Howell, director, tribal development, BNSF Railway Company | Presentation

Tribal Roundtable Discussion

Participants provided brief updates on meetings they have attended, as well as a discussion of current transportation topics or interest areas for his/her respective tribe. Topics of conversation may focus on transportation of radioactive waste, emergency response and preparedness, or other items of interest.

NCSL Updates

Quarterly report and discussion of work plan for 2018-2019, DOE information request

NTSF 2018 closing plenary discussion - Emergency response to highway shipments and working with tribal reservations

• Officer Brad Wagner, sergeant, Carrier Enforcement Division, Nebraska State Highway Patrol

WIPP Updates

• James Mason, manager, Institutional Affairs, Department of Energy, Carlsbad Field Office

TRANSCOM Orientation and Training

• Anthony Memmo, program manager, Seneca Nation

Tribal Business Session 

Friday, January 26

NTSF 2019 Planning Committee Session

Tribal Transportation Webinar Brainstorming Session

• Francis “Chip” Cameron, consultant, The Zero Gravity Group LLC

Meeting Adjourned