Is Nuclear Waste Coming Through Your Town?
Here’s What You Need to Know About the Danger on the Rails
You might never know it’s coming—until it’s too late.
Right now, there’s a real push to transport tens of thousands of tons of radioactive nuclear waste across the country… by train.
That’s because the federal government and private companies want to ship spent nuclear fuel from reactors in dozens of states to a “temporary” storage site in Andrews County, Texas—even though the state of Texas doesn’t want it.
But here’s what no one is talking about:
This waste won’t fly through the sky. It won’t teleport.
It will travel through your communities, neighborhoods, and backyards. On trains. For miles and miles. Across state lines. For decades.
So What’s the Big Deal?
Let’s break it down:
What is being moved?
Spent nuclear fuel—radioactive waste that stays dangerous for hundreds of thousands of years.How will it be transported?
In steel containers weighing over 100 tons each. Most will be loaded onto freight trains that roll through rural towns, major cities, and everything in between.How many shipments?
Experts estimate tens of thousands of rail trips over 40+ years if the storage site in West Texas opens.How safe is it?
The containers are designed to be tough—but no container is invincible. Trains derail. Accidents happen. And if they do, the results could be catastrophic.
Communities Have No Say
Most of the towns and cities on these routes have no idea that nuclear waste might soon pass through. They didn’t approve it. They weren’t asked. And they don’t have emergency response plans for this kind of disaster.
Even first responders—firefighters, medics, police—aren’t prepared or trained for a radioactive emergency. Why? Because it’s never happened before. And if it does, it’s already too late.
Could It Come Through My Town?
Yes. Likely routes could include:
Major rail hubs in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona
Small towns with rail crossings in rural America
Populated cities with vulnerable infrastructure
And because the plan isn't finalized, any community near a rail line could be affected.
What Can We Do About It?
We’re not against safe solutions for nuclear waste. But we ARE against:
Shipping dangerous radioactive material through unprepared communities
Using Texas as the nation’s nuclear dumping ground
Making long-term problems worse with short-term political fixes
Here’s What You Can Do:
Learn the facts – Most people don’t even know this is happening. Share this blog.
Contact your mayor, city council, and state reps – Ask if your town is on a nuclear rail route.
Join ARNW’s efforts – We’re building a movement of Texans, New Mexicans, and concerned citizens around the country who say: No Nuclear Waste Without Consent.
The bottom line:
Dangerous waste doesn’t belong near your family.
You didn’t ask for it.
And you shouldn’t be forced to carry the risk.
We deserve real solutions. Not radioactive trains rolling past our schools, homes, and hospitals.
Take action: Tell your elected officials no nuclear trains through our towns
Read more about the Supreme Court case challenging this plan