The NRC has apparently finished its audit of ComEd's Braidwood plant.

Why would they release this info (to follow) 2 weeks before the report is ready?

Maybe so noone from the press will bother to read it when it comes out? ("Oh, Braidwood, they're OK, find us another urban Y2K Survivalist story...)

from the Chicago Tribune (URL may change soon) http://chicagotribune.com/splash/article/0,1051,SAV-9902030185,00.html

COMED GETS HIGH MARKS FOR ITS Y2K COMPLIANCE

By Peter Kendall Tribune Environment Writer February 3, 1999

Federal regulators give high marks to Commonwealth Edison for the company's handling of potential "Year 2000" computer glitches at its nuclear power plants, officials said Tuesday.

An audit of ComEd's Braidwood Nuclear Power Station by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission found the company has a "very strong" program in place to make sure there are no problems at nuclear plants next Jan. 1.

Because of a programming glitch, a small percentage of computers and electronic devices used in everything from banks to factories could malfunction if they are not replaced or repaired before New Year's Eve. Systems involved in producing electricity are considered critical, because a malfunction there could have widespread effects.

"As far as we can tell, (ComEd) is on schedule to have their facilities Y2K compliant by July," said Jared Wermiel, who heads up Y2K inspections for the NRC.

"Some of the work they were doing, we would hope others would be doing it as well," Wermiel said. "Their procedures are very well thought out, and they are following them precisely."

The NRC selected 12 nuclear power plants across the nation to undergo Y2K inspections. ComEd's Braidwood plant was among the final three plants visited by inspectors, who spent three days there in January.

Their written report will be issued in coming weeks, Wermiel said.

Neither the NRC nor any utilities have yet to find a safety system that could fail to operate because of a Y2K glitch, Wermiel said.

Across the company, ComEd is about 80 percent complete with its Y2K efforts and will be 100 percent compliant by June 30, a spokeswoman said.

-- Anonymous, February 03, 1999