In the Nuclear Reactors and Y2K section of the NRC site, I found the Supplement 1 to the original Generic Letter 98-01 which "notified all utilities operating nuclear plants that they are required to inform NRC of steps they are taking to see that computer systems will function properly by the Year 2000."

Go to: http://www.nrc.gov/NRC/Y2K/Y2KNRR.html

The Supplement to that Generic Letter gives utilities operating nuke plants an option:

"In January 1999, the NRC issued Supplement 1 to Generic Letter 98-01. The scope of the Supplement is broader than Generic Letter 98-01. The new request for information includes systems necessary for continued plant operation, which are not covered by the terms and conditions of the plant's license and NRC regulations. Consequently, this information does not require submittal under oath or affirmation. Utilities have a choice whether they report by July 1 on their plants' Y2K readiness for systems within their license and NRC regulations or all those systems required for continued operation."

I wonder whether any utilities will take on the reporting for the extra "choice"? *grin*

-- Anonymous, March 08, 1999

Answers

"The new request for information includes systems necessary for continued plant operation..."

This appears to be the suggestion that was made in the senate report below:

"...In addition, not withstanding the NRC charter of addressing safety issues only, it needs to broaden the scope of its Y2K assessments to include operational issues as well."

This is fast action. I am very happy to see this. There is more to safety than than just plant operation. Power is helpful too.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 1999