My brother works in instrument and control at Davis Besse near Toledo. He says that DB is not controlled by computers but rather by controls that were tried and true at the time DB was built back in the early 70s. He says the plant won't trip due to y2k problems. Now, most of the things I've read from Rick Cowells, Gary North et al say that nuke plants are going to go down. Who's right? Is it possible that some plants like DB won't have problems and others will? Is DB one of a kind or are they all like that? Is my brother just ignorant? Are people like Rick Cowells just alarmists? If anyone has answers for me, please back them up with more than just, hey, your brother doesn't know what he's talking about. I want an explanation that would even convince my brother (who, by the way, has been working at a nuke plant for at least 15 years).

-- Anonymous, May 29, 1998

Answers

Jack asked about the Davis Besse facility being Y2k Ok?

The questions would be:

1) Has this facility had any regulated improvements since the 70s?

2) If so, do any of these improvements include "Embedded Chip Controllers"? If so, are they (ALL) Y2k Compliant?

3) Are (ALL) of the facility's outside vendors Y2k compliant.

4) If not, then how can the facility guarantee that it will remain operational if their "Load Requirements" suddenly increase?

5) Can the facility guarantee that all of the communications, personnel and outside services will be available for their continued operation?

These are just some of the questions that I would have of any Utility Co. or Agency that claims to be totally Y2k compliant.

-- Anonymous, May 29, 1998

The NRC has just recently mailed a "generic" style letter to all 108 nuclear power plants demanding they respond with solid information on how they're doing with assessing their Y2K situation. The NRC basically stated that if they don't repsond they won't reissue their licenses.

After speaking with our local Y2K guru at our local electric utility, he made it quite clear that the NRC looks at everything in a "worst case scenario", meaning, if the nuclear power plant can't guarantee they are compliant (and prove it) they won't allow them to stay on line.

Think about that for a while and draw your own conclusions.

-Pastor Chris - http://www.lifetel.com/y2k2000.htm

-- Anonymous, June 01, 1998

Chris has stated: "The NRC has just recently mailed a "generic" style letter to all 108 nuclear power plants demanding they respond with solid information on how they're doing with assessing their Y2K situation. The NRC basically stated that if they don't repsond they won't reissue their licenses".

Chris, have you a "Link" to this letter?

Dave

-- Anonymous, June 02, 1998

Here's the link to the NRC letter, etc.

http://www.house.gov/science/thompson_05-14.htm

-- Anonymous, June 02, 1998

Keep in mind that it's extremely difficult to test systems ay a nuke.

Generating alarms is a no no. One plant I know of has resorted to testing spares in the warehouse. The only problem is that with devices from the same lot, one works, one doesn't.

Expect the utilities to accelerate the closing of older nukes. Oysetr Creek will close by 2000 since it is generating power at 3.5 cents per KWH. GPU can buy power at 2.5 cents per KWH.

-- Anonymous, July 17, 1998