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State briefed on proposal to move oversized TRU items for size-reduction, training to be scaled in state
Summary
Energy and Natural Resources staff described a national plan to transport oversized transuranic items (glove boxes) under a special DOT permit for size reduction at labs in Idaho or Oak Ridge and outlined New Mexico’s plan to expand in‑state MERT training and exercises to increase resilience.
Zach Wachter, WIPP program manager at the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, told the committee that DOE and the National Nuclear Security Administration are evaluating a special Department of Transportation permit to move oversized transuranic (TRU) items — mostly legacy glove boxes and ducting — that do not fit standard Type B packages.
Wachter said the proposed approach would overpack Type A packages in a ‘‘super Type A’’ configuration and route them to facilities such as Idaho National Laboratory or Oak Ridge National Laboratory for robotic or manual size reduction, repackaging into Type B containers and eventual shipment to WIPP. He emphasized that the plan is still hypothetical and requires a DOT decision before anything would move through New Mexico.
The presentation also reviewed training and readiness updates. DOE-provided modular emergency radiological transport training (MERT) has resumed after a hiatus due to a federal funding pause. New Mexico staff completed train‑the‑trainer certification and plan to deliver 15 annual MERT sessions to jurisdictions along WIPP routes so local responders will not be dependent on federal delivery of training. Wachter highlighted results from the first post‑COVID WIPTREX exercise: unified command established quickly, but gaps were identified in hazmat technician levels and in the perishable nature of response skills.
Lawmakers asked about the timeline, funding and whether New Mexico could require added precautions such as escorts or enhanced inspections. Wachter said the permissive DOT action has not yet been approved and that the state could ask for additional mitigations if a permit is issued.
Wachter also outlined the program’s funding horizon: the current DOE cooperative agreement funds the program through 06/30/2027, with an application for the next five‑year award anticipated in early 2027.
Committee members encouraged early engagement with labs and suggested close oversight of any route that might cross New Mexico.
