First responders who would be called out for any hazardous waste spill in the county say they are ready to assist should any of 150 trucks hauling liquid nuclear waste on Interstate 79 have a problem.

The trucks hauling the nuclear waste from Canada to South Carolina have become the center of a lawsuit seeking to halt the trips.

The lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Energy filed earlier this month in Washington, D.C., notes potential hazards of transporting 150 truckloads of unstable, liquid nuclear waste from Canada through Western Pennsylvania, including Cranberry, Jackson, Lancaster, Muddy Creek and Worth townships in Butler County.

According to the lawsuit, the 6,000 gallons of radioactive waste will travel about 1,100 miles in small shipments to the department’s Savannah River site near Aiken, S.C., for reprocessing and recycling.

Each tractor-trailer would carry four stainless steel containers, each containing about 15 gallons of the material.

The state’s Radiation Protection Act states these trucks are required to be accompanied by escort vehicles.

“All shipments of spent nuclear fuel typically are escorted by state police,” Trooper Josh Black said. “If we are requested for transport, we would assist them on an interstate or a major highway.”

Exact times when trucks will travel down I-79 have not been given for security purposes. Black also said not all state police will be notified about escort services for security reasons.

He said in case of spillage, a survey kit is used to help identify and isolate the waste.

Jackson Township Police Chief Terry Seilhamer said while he did not escort trucks while a member of the state police, he received training as part of Radiation Protection Act.

He said the waste containers are “crash proof” and the escort service provided by state police will be sufficient.

“I’m sure they (state police) would call us depending on what they needed,” Seilhamer said. “These guys from when I was trained were all ex-special forces or Army rangers. They’re highly skilled.”

Scott Hoffman, Hazmat specialist for Butler County Emergency Services, said the county’s emergency services would help the DOE if a spillage were to occur.

“These shipments are not new. They have come down Interstate 79 before,” Hoffman said. “However, this (shipment) happening so soon is news to me.”

Hoffman said the Department of Energy would have escort vehicles to help handle spills.

“The Hazmat team isn’t a cleanup team. We’re just there to make sure it doesn’t get any worse,” he said. “The DOE would be right there and take steps to mitigate it.”

Hoffman said the risk level of liquid and solid radioactive waste is about equal.

“It would be no different if it were a solid waste,” he said. “I don’t think there’s a difference at all. You’re going to handle both situations the same.”

Jeff Schueler, Cranberry Township public safety director, said the township’s emergency personnel also would assist in cleanup efforts.

Schueler said public safety would identify the waste and close off the area, which means I-79 would be impassable.

“It depends on what product we’re dealing with and how we handle it,” he said. “Initially it will be the fire company, police and EMS who would be dispatched. You do the best you can with the information you have.”

Schueler said he has never dealt with radioactive waste spillage situations before in the township.

Neil Shader, spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, said the DEP’s Bureau of Radiation Protection has been in talks with the DOE, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and state police to train local responders.

“Should such a spill occur, bureau staff will advise and assist the relevant local and state authorities during the immediate response, possible evacuation and containment procedures,” Shader said. “Any cleanup and remediation would be the responsibility of the shipper and material owner and the federal DOE. The bureau would oversee any radiological cleanup of public or private property.”

A representative from the DOE would not comment on what steps would be taken if a spill were to occur.

More information on waste management can be found at energy.gov.