NRC sets backup plans in case Y2K hits nuke plants

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@earthlink.net>]

Tuesday June 15, 2:42 pm Eastern Time

NRC sets backup plans in case Y2K hits nuke plants

WASHINGTON, June 15 (Reuters) - Fears that Year 2000 computer crashes 
may cripple nuclear power plants have led the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission to develop backup plans for adding staff and ensuring 
communications when the new millennium starts.  

In a statement from the NRC on Tuesday, the agency said the 
contingency plan calls for staffing its operations center in 
Rockville, Md., beginning at 12 p.m. EDT on December 31. Backup will 
be provided by NRC's regional office in Arlington, Texas.  

``NRC staff will be stationed at each nuclear power plant site and 
uranium enrichment facility as well as in each NRC regional
Independent Response Center in King of Prussia, Pa.; Atlanta, Ga.; 
and Lisle, Ill,'' the agency said.

Portable satellite telephones will also be provided as backup 
communications, if needed, at each pant and facility.

The Year 2000 bug, or Y2K, refers to the potential problem computers 
may have in recognizing dates beginning with January 1, 2000 and 
beyond. The default arises from computer programs that use two digits 
to represent a calendar year, like ``99.''  

It is feared when the millennium rollover begins, computers will 
crash when reading ``00'' as ``1900'' instead of ``2000.''

The NRC and the nuclear industry have stressed that no tests to date 
have shown any safety-related problems related to Y2K. A final report 
on power industry Y2K compliance is due at the end of June, when the 
North American Electric Reliability Council files a report with the 
U.S. Department of Energy.  

``Based on NRC's Y2K reviews and audits of nuclear power plants and 
other licensed facilities, all licensees are expected to be Y2K ready 
well before December 31, and the Y2K transition will not affect 
continued safe operation of their facilities,'' the NRC said.  

Last month, Massachusetts Rep. Ed Markey, a frequent critic of the 
NRC, said the agency had expressed Y2K-related concerns about backup 
generators at the Pilgrim nuclear station in his state. The 
Democratic lawmaker said while there were no general problems 
expected from Y2K, the NRC said some difficulties were experienced 
with plant monitoring systems and access controls.   

Sandy Perle
E-Mail: sandyfl@earthlink.net 
Personal Website: http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/1205

"The object of opening the mind, as of opening 
the mouth, is to close it again on something solid"
              - G. K. Chesterton -
************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html