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	NRC NEWS U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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No. 99-240

November 8, 1999

NRC Confirms That All Nuclear Power Plants Are Fully Y2K-ready

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has received notification by all 103 operating nuclear power plants that they have completed remediation efforts to be fully "Y2K-ready"-that is, all plant systems involved with safety, power generation, and plant support are now prepared to roll over into the Year 2000 without computer problems.

Safety-related systems at all 103 plants have been Y2K-ready since July 1. At that time, sixty-eight of the plants were declared fully Y2K-ready while 35 had remaining work on non-safety systems (those systems involved with power generation and plant support). During the past four months, NRC has confirmed satisfactory completion of the remaining work that has resulted in all plants now being fully Y2K- ready.

Based on our review of responses from the nuclear power industry concerning Y2K readiness, our independent inspection efforts at all 103 plants, and our ongoing regulatory oversight activities, we conclude that the Y2K problem will not adversely affect the continued safe operation of U.S. nuclear power plants, and should contribute to grid stability during the transition period.

Detailed information on NRC's Y2K activities are available on the web site at http://www.nrc.gov/NRC/NEWS/year2000.html .

The "Year 2000" or "Y2K" problem refers to a computer's potential inability to recognize dates beginning with January 1, 2000, and beyond. It arises from computer programs that use two-digit numbers to represent a calendar year (such as "98" for 1998). For example, a computer system could read "00" as 1900, rather than 2000, potentially causing a computer system to malfunction. "Y2K-ready" means that the function provided by a computer will be carried out successfully with the coming of the Year 2000.

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