maybe this will create some public awareness... but i wouldn't count on it.

nirs

The Nuclear Information and Resource Service gave the Nuclear Regulatory Commissions Y2K program failing grades today, based on the agencys admission that 35 nuclear reactors still havent resolved their problems with the well-known computer bug.

NIRS noted that several of these reactors arent even scheduled to complete their fixes until November 1999or even later--which leaves virtually no time for testing and further adjustment to their repairs.

"The NRCs program is unacceptable," said NIRS executive director Michael Mariotte. "Its what we feared all alongthis agency is waiting until the last minute and then just hoping that everything will work out ok. But with nuclear reactors, there is no margin for error. Simply hoping for the best is a sure indication that the worst can happen."

"Obviously, the nuclear utilities still have an enormous amount of work to do to repair their computer systems for the next century," said Mary Olson , NIRS Y2K specialist. "The NRC is trying to put the best spin possible on this problem, but the fact is some utilities just arent going to be ready in time. Experts agree that no nuclear power will be needed in the U .S. on January 1, 2000there will be plenty of electrical generation available. For that reason, we join with our colleagues across the globe in calling for a nuclear moratorium on January 1a shutdown of all nuclear facilities across the world. Who knows, we may find we can live without them permanently?"

-- Anonymous, July 11, 1999

Answers

"Simply hoping for the best is a sure indication that the worst can happen."

Uh oh... here comes another panic wave.

Thankfully, I can count on the NRC (and/or the NERC) to pump out another allay, allay report to smooth things over. What's your guess - Monday? Tuesday? I mean who is this NIRS to suggest that 2 weeks to a month isn't PLENTY of time? Like the NERC spokesman said when asked what would happen if the parts or software or hardware doesn't come in on time: NERC spokesperson: "We don't anticipate that happening. We really don't anticipate that happening."

"Simply hoping for the best is a sure indication that the worst can happen." - - NIRS executive director Michael Mariotte

-- Anonymous, July 11, 1999

From the NIRS site:

"Thus far, the NRC has not indicated that ANY reactor will be Y2K-compliant by December 1, 1999."

-- Anonymous, July 11, 1999

So how much time is PLENTY of time Linda?

As far as testing systems goes. And if something doesn't pass? Then fix and retest? How much time does that take?

-Nuke Ambivalent -Just Rational -The Rookie

-- Anonymous, July 18, 1999