According to Jim Warren, executive director of North Carolina Waste Awareness and Reduction Network (NC WARN), spent fuel rods are the highly irradiated by-product of depleted uranium rods which power a nuclear plant. After use, spent fuel rods are 100 times more dangerous than its original form.

Yet, after immense public pressure, Progress Energy ceased shipping the spent fuel rods last year. “We are no longer shipping, period.” Rick Kimbel, Manager of Nuclear Communications said.

According to Kimbel, the main reason for shipping the fuel rods was to safely store the waste at a secure facility until a national depository opened.

According to Warren, a study conducted by National Academy of Sciences and NC WARN in 2005 found that the way in which Progress Energy stores its spent fuel can be extremely dangerous. Packing it in high density casks within tanks of water, if the water were to be drained from these tanks, the spent fuel would react with the air, instantly catching fire. The radiation released would be many times hotter and spread hundreds of miles - making them a prime target for malicious terrorist organizations.

While storage pools are still in use by Progress Energy, a dry storage method is now in use by the energy provider. The dry storage method considered safer by the study and consists of compressed casks filled with spent fuel and loading them in a dry storage canister, which are located on-site at their respective plants.

According to Progress Energy, both methods are the safest and most economical solution. To date, no dry storage depository exists and the U.S. has failed on its commitment to open one, which would alleviate the pressure Progress Energy has to store its own spent fuel.

“If a dry depository were to open up, we would resume shipping.” Kimbel said.

From 1987 to 2009, Yucca Mountain in Nevada was a proposed site for one such repository, but earlier this year it was rejected and no longer viewed as an option by the Obama Administration.

Although hazardous materials and terrorist threats may not be an imminent threat to the campus, just how safe is the campus in the event of an emergency?

Besides tuition costs, books and student fees, the campus does offer students something often taken for granted: Safety.

“UNC-Pembroke is pleased that it is considered the safest campus in the UNC system,” said Glen Burnette vice chancellor for University and Community Relations, “We have been fortunate that no major hazards or dangerous incidents have occurred on our campus. However, we are always working on making our campus as safe an environment as possible for our faculty, staff and students.”

The campus enacts three different plans in case of an emergency. The plans include a Crisis Action Plan which assesses unplanned events that potentially present a risk to persons and facilities on campus.

In November 2008, the campus held its first Active Shooter Simulation. According to Burnette, the Active Shooter Simulation was a test of the Crisis Action Plan, giving the university the opportunity to gauge the knowledge and preparedness of the officials on campus in the case of an emergency.

Secondly, a Pandemic Influenza Plan which outlines the protocol to follow if an outbreak of a viral entity such as influenza was to spread.

Lastly, a Disaster Preparedness Plan which sets guidelines in the event of a disaster within or near the campus community.

Although many of the hazards outlines are foreign to the campus, the potential for harm can come from within. Art and science departments across many universities in the UNC system do work with dangerous chemicals and UNCP is no exception.

“In art we also have to teach and take precautions so we do not expose ourselves or our students to those risks,” said Stephen Robison assistant professor of the Art Department, “UNCP's Hazardous Waste is more of an issue when it comes to disposal of it. The university follows the state procedures for this and we are in full accordance with it in art and science."

In the event of a chemical spill or hazardous waste crisis:

• When reporting, be specific about the nature of the involved material and the location.
• The University Police will contact the necessary specialized authorities and medical personnel. A professor or supervisor should evacuate the affected area at once and seal it off to prevent further contamination until the arrival of police personnel.
• Anyone who may be contaminated by the spill should avoid contact with others as much as possible, remain in the vicinity and give their names to the University Police officer.
• Required first aid and clean up by specialized authorities should be started at once.
• The senior UNCP Police officer will immediately notify the following: Local Fire Department and the Hazardous Materials Response Team.
• The Fire Department has concurrent and overlapping responsibility and authority with the University to protect life and property. Fire department personnel are specially trained and possess technical knowledge of dangerous chemicals.
• Water or chemical fire retardants should NOT be used without Fire Department approval (these could result in poisonous fumes).