Hazardous Materials Transportation Act of 1975, United States
Published: August 24, 2008, 2:37 am
Updated: August 24, 2008, 2:37 am
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Cutler J. Cleveland
Hazardous waste containers.
The Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA) primarily affects activities of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The HMTA enhanced the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to regulate the transportation of hazardous materials in commerce as a means of protecting the life and property of the nation’s citizens from harm from these materials. The Secretary of Transportation also has the authority to designate any material as hazardous so long as it imposes unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property.
Several government agencies share the authority to ensure safe and proper transportation of nuclear waste. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for all hazardous material including radioactive material; the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is responsible for all commercial activities dealing with nuclear power plants; and the DOE is responsible for the shipment of commercial radioactive waste for storage as well as nuclear weapons and defense nuclear waste for storage or use.
Further Reading
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act: Purpose and Organization (U.S. Department of Energy)
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Citation
Alejandra Roman (Lead Author);Cutler J. Cleveland (Topic Editor) "Hazardous Materials Transportation Act of 1975, United States". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth August 24, 2008; Last revised Date August 24, 2008; Retrieved June 18, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Hazardous_Materials_Transportation_Act_of_1975,_United_States>
The Author
Editorial Assistant
The Encyclopedia of Earth
Alejandra Roman graduated in May 2006 from Boston University with a double B.A. in Environmental Policy and Analysis and Hispanic Language and Literature. While studying, she worked as a research assistant for Cutler Cleveland at Boston University's Center for Energy and Environmental Studies, mainly assisting in the development of the Earth Portal and Encyclopedia of Earth. After graduation, she moved to Washingto ... (Full Bio)
Hazardous waste containers.
The Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA) primarily affects activities of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The HMTA enhanced the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to regulate the transportation of hazardous materials in commerce as a means of protecting the life and property of the nation’s citizens from harm from these materials. The Secretary of Transportation also has the authority to designate any material as hazardous so long as it imposes unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property.
Several government agencies share the authority to ensure safe and proper transportation of nuclear waste. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for all hazardous material including radioactive material; the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is responsible for all commercial activities dealing with nuclear power plants; and the DOE is responsible for the shipment of commercial radioactive waste for storage as well as nuclear weapons and defense nuclear waste for storage or use.
Further Reading
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act: Purpose and Organization (U.S. Department of Energy)
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Site Options
0 Comments
Add Comment