ML20205P097
| ML20205P097 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/13/1999 |
| From: | Travers W NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Diaz N, Dicus G, Shirley Ann Jackson, Mcgaffigan E, Merrifield J, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9904200019 | |
| Download: ML20205P097 (21) | |
Text
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April 13, 1999 MEMORANDUM TO:
Chairman Jackson Commissioner Dieus Commissioner Diaz Commissioner McGaffigan Commissioner Merrifield Originalsigned by FROM:
William D. Travers N D. Travers Executive Director for Operations
SUBJECT:
APRll 1999 STATUS REPORT ON AGENCY YEAR 2000 ACTIVITIES in September and October 1998 and in January 1999 the staff provided the Commission with status reports on Year 2000 (Y2K) activities. These previous reports focused principally on Agency Y2K activities for nuclear power plants. After forwarding to the Commission, these reports were made available to the public and placed on NRC's Y2K webpage.
In order to keep both internal and external stakeholders informed of Agency Y2K activities as I
they relate to our licensees, we have expanded the scope of the report to discuss Y2K efforts in areas such as fuel cycle facilities and material licensees and contingency planning. This more comprehensive and integrated approach will provide the Commission and stakeholders with a more complete picture of NRC's Y2K efforts. Similar to previous Y2K reports, the staff plans to l
make the report immediately available to the public.
The April 1999 Y2K status report (attached) provides background information and an historical perspective on agency Y2K activities. Subsequent reports on agency Y2K activities will be more corfcise and focus on significant activities and accomplishments since the previous report.
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April 13, 1999 MEMORANDUM TO: Chairman Jackson Commissioner Dices Commissioner Diaz Commissioner McGaffigan Commissioner Merrifield FROM:
William D. Travers hM
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Executive Director for Operatior.3
SUBJECT:
APRIL 1999 STATUS REPORT ON AGENCY YEAR 2000 ACTIVITIES In September and October 1998 and in January 1999 the staff provided the Commission with status reports on Year 2000 (Y2K) activities. These previous reports focused principally on l
Agency Y2K activities for nuclear power plants. After forwarding to the Commission, these reports were made available to the public and placed on NRC's Y2K webpage.
In order to keep both internal and external stakeholders informed of Agency Y2K activities as they relate to our licensees, we have expanded the scope of the report to discuss Y2K efforts in areas such as fuel cycle facilities and material licensees and contingency planni:'g. This more comprehensive and integrated approach will provide the Commission and stakeh siders with a more complete picture of NRC's Y2K efforts. Similar to previous Y2K reports, the staff plans to make the report immediately available to the public.
The April 1999 Y2K status report (attached) provides background information and an historical perspective on agency Y2K activities. Subsequent reports on agency Y2K activities will be more concise and focus on significant activities and accomplishments since the previous report.
Attachment:
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- Nuclear Regulatory Commission Status Report on Year 2000 Activities for April 1999 INTRODUCTION in September and October 1998 and in January 1999, the staff provided the Commission with status reports on Year 2000 (Y2K) activities. These previous reports focused principally on agency Y2K activities for nuclear power plants. This report focuses more broadly on all agency Y2K activities. Attached to this report is a timeline of major NRC Y2K milestones and the Nuclear Utility Year 2000 Readiness March 1999 Survey Summary. The Nuclear Energy Institute proWded this summary to the NRC on April 8,1999. These reports, along with other detailed Y2K-rNated information on NRC Y2K activities, are available on NRC's Y2K website at http://www.nrc.oov/NRC/ NEWS /vear2000.html.
The NRC supports the efforts of the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion and is a active member of the Council's Year 2000 Energy / Electric sector, Health Care sector, and Emergency Services sector working groups. NRC continues to work with representatives from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Department of Energy to share information regard g potential problems associated with the Year 2000. Additional information concerning the ac.rities of the President's Council can be found on the Council's website at http /www.y2k. gov.
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On February 11,1999, the Commission met with John Koskinen, Chair of the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion, members of the NRC staff, and representatives from th6 Nuclear Energy Institute and the Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS) to discuss Y2K issues. On February 24,1999, Dr. William Travers, Executive Director for Operations, testified before the NRC's Senate oversight committee on NRC's Y2K activities.
NRC YEAR 2000 ACTIVITIES Over the past several years the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff has been working with our licensees to prepare for the Y2K transition. The NRC continues to maintain an appropriate regulatory framework for overseeing Y2K readiness efforts at all NRC-licensed facilities.
Since 1996, the NRC has been working with nuclear industry organizations and licensees to address the Y2K problem. To ensure that senior-level management at operating NRC-licensed facilities was aware of the Y2K issue, the NRC issued Information Notice (IN) 96-70, " Year 2000 Effect on Computer System Software," on December 24,1996. IN 96-70 describes the potential problems that nuclear facility computer systems and software might encounter during the transition to the new millennium. All U.S. nuclear power plants, fuel cycle facilities, and other material licensees were provided with copies of this document.
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j POWER REACTORS l
In 1997, the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) agreed to take the lead in developing industry-wide guidance for addressing the Y2K issue at nuclear power reactors. In November 1997, NEl issued a guidance document to all U.S. nuclear power plant licensees, titled " Nuclear Utility Year 2000 Readiness" (NEl/NUSMG 97-07).
In Generic Letter (GL) 98-01," Year 2000 Readiness of Computer Systems at Nuclear Power Plants," May 11,1998; the NRC accepted the NEl/NUSMG 97-07 guidance as an appropriate program for nuclear power plant readiness and required that all operating U.S. nuclear power i
l plant licensees submit written responses regarding their facility-specific Y2K readiness programs in order to obtain confirmation that licensees are addressing the Y2K issue effectively. All licensees have responded to GL 98-01 stating that they have adopted plant-specific programs that are intended to make the plants Y2K ready by July 1,1999. GL 98-01 also requires a written response, no later than July 1,1999, confirming that these facilities are Y2K ready. Licensees who are not Y2K ready by July 1,1999, must provide a status report and schedule for remaining work to ensure timely Y2K readiness.
One of a number of initiatives undertaken by the NRC staff to address the Y2K problem was the conduct of 12 sample audits of licensee Y2K readiness programs. A sample audit approach was determined by the NRC staff to be an appropriate means of oversight of licensee Y2K readiness efforts based on the fact that 1) all licensees had committed to the nuclear power industry Y2K readiness guidance (NEl/NUSMG 97-07) in their first response to GL 98-01 and 2) the NRC staff had not identified any Y2K problems in safety-related actuation systems. The 12-licensee sample included large utilities such as Commonwealth Edison and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as well as small single unit licensees such as North Atlantic Energy (Seabrook) and Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation. Because licensee Y2K programs are corporate-wide, many of the NRC staff audits included more than a single nuclear power plant site since many utilities own more than one nuclear power piant. In all, a total of 42 of 103
. operating nuclear power plant units were associated with the Y2K readiness program audits of 12 utilities. The NRC staff selected a variety of types of plants of different ages and locations in this sample in order to obtain the necessary assurance that nuclear power industry Y2K readiness programs are being effectively implemented and that licensees are on schedule to meet the readiness target date of July 1,1999, established in GL 98-01.
Ir. ! ate January 1999, we completed the 12 audits. Based on the results of these audits, we co.:cluded that the audited licensees were effectively addressing Y2K issues and were undertaking the actions necessary to achieve Y2K readiness per the GL 98-01 target date. We did not identify any issues that would preclude these licensees from achieving readiness.
These findings are consistent with those recently reported by the Department of Energy in the report prepared by the North American Electric Reliability Council on the status of Y2K readiness of the electric power grid.
L The majority of commercial nuclear power plants have protection systems that are analog rather than digital. Since Y2K concerns are associated with digital systems, analog reactor protection system functions are not impacted by Y2K issues. Digital systems are being i
addressed as part of the licensee Y2K readiness programs. Errors such as incorrect dates in print-outs, logs or displays have been identified by licensees in safety-related devices, but the l
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errors do not affect the functions performed by the devices or systems. Most Y2K issues are in balance-of-plant and other systems such as security and plant monitoring systems which support day-to-day plant operation but have no direct functions necessary for safe operation of I
the reactor. These systems are being addressed in the licensee Y2K readiness programs consistent with the industry guidance and GL 98-01 schedule. To date, the NRC staff has not identified any Y2K problems in nuclear power plant systems that directly impact actuation of l
safety functions.
We have noted from the completed audits that licensee Y2K contingency planning efforts have not progressed far enough for a complete NRC staff review, and, therefore, additional oversight of this area is planned for the Spring of 1999. The NRC staff currently plans to review the contingency planning efforts of six different licensees from those included in the initial 12 sample Y2K readiness audits, beginning in May 1999 and ending in June 1999. Licensee Y2K programs are corporate-wide and many utilities own more than ene nuclear power plant.
Therefore, a total of 18 operating nuclear power plant unito will be associated with these six licensee reviews. These reviews will focus on the licensee's approach to addressing botn 1
intemal and external Y2K risks to safe plant operations based on the guidance in NEl/NUSMG 98-07, " Nuclear Utility Year 2000 Readiness Contingency Planning." Headquarters staff will perform the 2-3 day audit with assistance from the applicable region and/or resident inspector.
The following sites were selected and the corresponding licensees were informed of these future audits i
Oconee Indian Poin'. 2 Palo Verde Turkey Point Duane Arnold Diablo Canyon in addition to the NRC staff activities addressed above, NRC inspectors will review plant-specific Y2K program implementation activities at all nuclear power plant facilities. The i
inspectors will be using guidance prepared by the NRC headquarters staff who conducted the i
- 19. sample audits. The results of these plant-specific Y2K program reviews will be documented j
in publically available documents wh;ch will be posted on the NRC Year 2000 website. In April i
1999, the staff plans to issue an information notice (IN) regarding the results of the 12-plant sample audit.
The NRC staff will continue its oversight of the Y2K issue in nuclear pcwer plants through the remainder of 1999. In July 1999, we will review alllicensee responses to GL 98-01 and address any responses that raise concerns. By September 1999, we will determine the need for issuing orders to address Y2K readiness issues, including, if warranted, shutdown of a plant.
At this time, we believe that alllicensees will be able to operate their plants safely during the transition from 1999 to 2000 and do not believe that significant plant-specific action directed by the NRC is likely to be needed.
Nevertheless, the nuclear utility industry and the NRC are developing comprehensive contingency plans to cope with any unanticipated problems should they arise during the Year 2000 transition. This approach is consistent with the defense-in-depth philosophy applied to assuring nuclear safety.
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p Since the last periodic report on Y2K activities the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation has re-organized and the responsibility for reactor-related Y2K activities has been transferred to the Division of Engineering. Richard Wessman, Deputy Director of the Division of Engineering, is L
the lead management point of contact for reactor-related Y2K activities. Jared Wermiel has assumed a new position as Chief, Reactor Systems Branch.
At the NRC Regulatory Information Conference which was held from March 3 through March 5, 1999, in Washington D.C., the staff discussed Y2K related issues with NEl and nuclear power I
plant owners.
The staff has developed a Temporary Instruction (TI) and review checklist and completed training of inspectors to support review of Y2K activities at all power reactors. The Tl has been placed on the NPC web site. All day training sessions on the Tl and the site reviews were conducted on March 25 and March 31,1999. Regional Offices were connected via video conference and the appropriate resident or regional inspectors attended the subject sessions.
l A video tape based upon the training sessions will be made available for other regional personnel.
The comment period for the three Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS) rulemaking petitions ended on March 28,1999 and the staff is preparing its response. The staff has initiated a dialogue with NIRS and invited NIRS to p' Aicipate in a public meeting with NEl.
The staff will condnue to engage NIRS in future public meetings and workshops.
The staff has been invited and plans to participate in the EPRI Y2K Embedded Systems Workshop to be held from April 26 through 30,1999. The staff has also been invited and plans to participate in the Nuclear Utility Software Ma' agement Group (NUSMG) Conference on Y2K n
lssues, to be held on April 28 and 29,1999.
The industry is actively engaged in addressing the Y2K problem. The North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) established recommended industry-wide milestones for ensuring that U.S. electric systems are ready for the Year 2000. The recommended completion date for the remediation/ testing phase of Y2K preparations is May 1999. Mission-critical systems and cort,ponents (e.g., power production, energy management systems, telecommunications, substation controls and system protection, and distribution systems) are to be made Y2K ready by June 30,1999. NEl has collected data from the industry regarding Y2K progress provided the NRC with a summary report on April 8,1999. This summary report is attached. NEl has encouraged licensees to make a public announcement when their internal review has been completed and they have concluded that their plants are Y2K ready.
FUEL CYCLE FACILITIES AND MATERIALS LICENSEE in order to gather Y2K Information regarding fuel cycle facilities and materials Heensees, the l
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) formed a Y2K Team. From September 1997 through December 1997, the NMSS Y2K Team visited a cross-section of I
materials licensees and fuel cycle facilities and conducted Y2K interviews. Each licensee or facility vicated by tha team indicated that they were aware of the Y2K issue and were in various stages of implementing their Year 2000 readiness programn. Also, telephone interviews were conducted with device manufacturers and distributors. From the interviews and site visits, Page 4 of 12
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NRC was assured by licensees that health and safety at materials facilities and fuel facilities would not be compromised due to Y2K problems. Further, NRC determined that few materials licensees use processes that are computer-controlled. From the interviews, NRC learned that early versions of some treatment planning systems (computer systems for calculating dose to medical patients being treated w!!h radiation or radioactive material) have Y2K problems and that upgrades for treatment planning systems were available. However, treatment planning systems are not regulated by the NRC, because they do not contain licensed ;naterial. NRC has shared information on non Y2K compliant treatment planning systems with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For materials licensees, no Y2K issues for NRC regulated material were identified, For fuel cycle facilities, one database was identified that had a Y2K problem, and the facility indicated that they would convert it to a Y2K compliant database as part of their Y2K Readiness Program. As a result of the interviews and site visits, NRC's focus has been to determine if any commercially-available devices (medical and industrial) are Y2K vulnerable, and to assure that licensees evalcate self-developed systems, commercial off the shelf software and hardware, and safety systems.
Since November 17,1997, materials and fuel cycle inspectors have been instructed to confirm receipt of NRC's Y2K Information Notices by materials and fuel cycle licensees and certificate holders; determine whether the licensees and certificate holders have identif ed any potential problems associated with the Y2K issue; and note any corrective actions tchen by the licensees and certificate holders. Generic Yes.r 2000 information, received from inspectors, will be passed on to NRC licensees. To date, only treatment planning systems, dose calibrators, and a tote position display for an irradiator have been found to have Y2K problems. As stated above, NRC has informed the FDA of all treatment planning systems and dose calibrators that materials licensees have found to have Y2K problems. Upgrades for these treatment planning systems and dose calibrators are available from manufacturers. Materials inspectors have indicated that licensees are aware of these upgrades and that the licensees will complete the E
upgrades before the end of 1999. The irradiator tote position display is not a safety system.
Further, the irradiator tote position display system that nad the Y2K problem was made susceptible by a one-of-a-kind modification made by the licensee The licensee was authorized by NRC to make the modifications and is updating the display system. To date, no generic Y2K issues for NRC regulated material used by materials licensees have been identified.
In addition to Y2K inquiries during routine inspections, NRL is monitoring several list r.ervers, manufacturer websites, news media, Corgressional reports, and Presidents' Y2K Council reports for Y2K issues that may affect materials licensees. If Y2K issues that will affect thaterials licensees are discovered, the information will be sent to licensees through generic communications and placed on the NRC Y2K webpage.
To alert licensees and certificate holders to the Y2K problem, NRC issuad information Notice (IN) 96-70, " Year 2000 Effect on Computer System Software," on December 24,1996, IN 97-61,"U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Letter, to Medical Device Manufacturers, on the Year 2000 Problem," on August 6,1997, and IN 98-30,"Effect of the Year 2000 Computer Problem on NRC Licensees and Certificate Holders," on August 12,1998. In IN 96-70, the staff described the potential problems that computer systems and software may encounter as a result of the change f.om the year 1999 to the year 2000 and how the Y2K issue may affect NRC licensees and certificate holders. IN 96-70 encouraged licensees and Page 5 of 12
g certificate holders to examine their uses of computer systems and softwn.e well before the year 2000 and suggested that they consider appropriate actions to examine and evaluate their computer systems for Y2K vulnerabilities. In IN 97-61, the NF", aff forwarded to licensees a letter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,, Dood and Drug Administration, to medical dLvice manufacturers, regarding the Y2K problem. In a letter dated June 25,1997, the FDA reminded medical device manufacturers that some computer systems and software
. applications currently used in medical devices, including embedded microprocessors, may l
l experience problems as a result of the tum to the new century. In addition, the lettet indicated that computer-controlled design, production, or quality control processes could be adversely l
affected. In IN 98-30, the staff alerted licensees and certificate holders to systems that were known to be or may be affected by Y2K problems, encouraged licensees and certificate holders to contact vendors and test their systems for Y2K problems, and provided elements of a sample Y2K readiness program. All Y2K related Information Notices and Generic Letters that were sent to licensees have been placed on the NRC's external Web site.
In an effort to provide our medical licensees with Y2K information, NRC has been working with the FDA. NRC and FDA will continue to share Y2K information.
In order to obtain confirmation that fuel cycle licensees and certificate holders are effectively addressing the Y2K issue, NRC issued GL 98-03, "NMSS Licensees' and Certificate Holders' Year 2000 Readiness Programs," in June 1998. Similar to GL 98-01 for nuclear power plants, GL 98-03 required that fuel cycie incilities submit written responses regarding their facility-specific Y2K readiness prccgram. In the first of three required responses to GL 98-03, all ten fuel cycle facilities (nine fuel cycle licensees and certificate holders) responded that they have
- adopted facility-specific Y2K readiness programs. In the second of three required responses to GL 98-03, all ten fuel cycle facilities responded. One facility will be Y2K ready by April 1999, six facilities will be Y2K ready by July 1999, two facilities will be Y2K ready by October 1999, and one facility reported that they will be Y2K compliant by December 1999. However, in subsequent communications, the licensee for the facility reporting Y2K compliance by December 1999 informed the NRC that although they will not be Y2K compliant until December 1999, they are currently Y2K ready. The third of three required responses to GL 98-03 is due by July 1,1999, and requires confirmation that the facility is Y2K ready. Fuel cycle facilities which are not Y2K ready by July 1,1999, must provide a status report and schedule for remaining work to become Y2K ready.
Between September 1997 and October 1998, the ten major fuel cycle facilities were, in conjunction with other inspection activities, inspected for Y2K concems. Based on these Y2K j
inspections, the facilities were aware of the Y2K problem and were adequetely addressing Y2K issues.
In support of the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion, NRC has participated in and provided information to the Health Care Sector and the Environmental Protection Sector.
Further, NRC participated in the Y2K medical event (exercise) at George Washington University Hospital.
Recently, NMSS participated in Y2K Health Care Sector meetings, led by Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), to plan Y2K Action week, March 29 though April 2. HCFA sponsored Y2K events in 12 cities. HCFA, FDA, Veterans Administration, and Department of i
l Defense and guests from local utilities, telecommunications, banking, transportation, emergency services, State Medicaid agencies, and other Health and Human Services Page 6 of 12 L
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agencies participated in the events. Professional associations notified members of the Y2K events. NRC attended planning meetings, but did not participate in the events because the materials licensee community is relatively small, with a narrow scope of health care operations, and the Y2K events were aimed at a broader health care and public audience.
NMSS is currently updating the materials and fuel cycle Y2K webpage. The front page will include more information regarding NRC Y2K activities. Additionally, useful links to other Y2K.
websites will be added.
AGREEMENT STATEE in February 1998, NRC provided information to Agreement States to increase their awareness of the Y2K problem. (Ref. All Agreement States Letter SP-98-008). Through the letter, States were provided information on the nature and scope of the Y2K problem, potential problems for materials licensees, and the actions NRC was taking to encourage NRC materials licensees to examine their computer systems and software. In the letter, we recommended that Agreement States also encourage their licensees to conduct similar examinations to assure they are Y2K compliant. NRC also requested Agreement States to share information with NRC on any Y2K problems identified by Agreement State licensees that could impact NRC, other Agreement States, or other licensees.
To help provide further information to Agreement States, a link was established on the Office of State Programs (OSP) home page directly to the NRC Y2K website to help States obtain access to NRC information. We also provided the Agreement States with information on how to subscribe to the NRC year 2000 list server that would automatically E-Mall information to subscribers as it became available.
On January 26,1999, all Agreement States were contacted again through the OSP list server referring them to the earlier February 6,1998 letter, and asking that they be sure to share with us any information on Y2K problems that may have been identified by their licensees. We also asked for information on the status of their efforts to address Y2K issues.
' State responses, although limited in number, indicated that Y2K was being addressed through State wide efforts and anticipated completion before the year 2000. No licensee problems were
' identified.
- In addition, during Management Review Board (MRB) meetings for the Integrated Material Performance Evaluation Program over the past 18 months, the MRB Chair has questioned
- Agreement State managers about their State's Y2K activities. The managers have indicated that Y2K issues in their programs were being addressed as part of statewide efforts.
CONTINGENCY PLANNING j
The NRC Y2K Contingency Planning Task Force is an interoffice, multi-disciplinary team constituted to provide recommendations and guidance to help ensure that the agency can appropriately respond to unanticipated Y2K problems at our licensed facilities. To support this i
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goal, the Task Force has developed a draft Contingency Plan that will be used to deal with unforseen Y2K problems that may affect NRO licensed facilities. This draft plan was placed on the NRC's extemal Y2K web site (http://www.nrc. gov /NRC/ NEWS / year 2000.html) to facilitate external stakeholder coordination and to solicit input. The staff is also developing a one-time
" Interim Policy Statement on Enforcement Discretion for Y2K" that will be forwarded to the Commission for review.
After extemal stakeholder input has been incorporated into the contingency plan, it will be submitted to the Commission for formal approval. The NRC is also actively participating in several Inter-Agency working groups that are planning for Y2K contingencies. These groups include the Catastrophic Disaster Response Group and the President's Council Y2K Emergency Services Sector working group. The NRC plans to conduct exercises in preparation for potential Y2K problems.
The Task Force continued to develop and refine the NRC Y2K contingency plan based on stakeholder feedback and the February 19,1999 Staff Requirements Memorandum (SRM).
Comments on the draft contingency plan were received from several Federal Agencies, from NEl and several utilities, from public citizen groups (e.g., NIRS, Massachusetts Citizens for Safa Energy, Global Resource Action Center for the Environment) and from private citizens.
Major milestones are summarized below.
Exercises The task force is presently considering two different exercises. The first exercisc would be a Table Top exercise sometime this summer that would involve NRC (Headquarters and the Regions), a utility, a State, and a county. The purpose of this exercise would be to talk through how contingency plans for each organization would be used in response to a number of scenarios (e.g., loss of telecommunications, loss of power). Both BG&E and the State of Maryland are interested in participating in this exercise. The second exercise would be a larger scale exerc!se. During this exercise, the NRC would test the Y2K contingency plan in its entirety, including the information sharing and regulatory response aspects of the contingency plan. To date, about a half dozen utilities have expressed an interest in participating in this exercise.
Coordination and Communication The staff is working closely with FEMA and the President's Council on the Y2K issue. The staff supported regional FEMA workshope by providing input on th,e NRC Y2K program as part of the workshop package. The purpose of workshops is to communicate to regional Federal i
agencies, States, and local govemment officials, the status of Y2K issues associated with the major sectors of the infrastructure (transportation, energy, food supplies, health care, etc.) and to assist them in contingency planning efforts. The staff is also working closely with FEMA on their plans to conduct Y2K workshops for the State and local radiological emergency preparedness (REP) community. These workshops will also include participation by NRC and our nuclear power plant licensees.
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r The staff has also worked closely with the National Communication System (NCS) regarding the National Telecommunications Coordination Network (NTCN) that is being developed to l
provide for emergency communications in the event of a widespread telecommunications l
outage. In addition, the staff has consulted Booz Allen to provide recommendations for i
portable sategite equipment to support the Y2K contingency plan and to augment the NRC Emergency Telecommunications System. One of the requirements of this equipment is compatibility with the NTCN. At the request of NRC, the NCS has contacted telecommunications companies that provide service to NRC nuclear power plant licensees regarding Y2K readiness.
NRC and IAEA are coordinating contingency plans for direct NRC-IAEA communications in case of a U.S. nuclear emergency. In February 1999 OIP met with the IAEA's emergency response team and discussed coordination of Y2K contingency plans. Further discussions will be held in May 1999 during the visit of an lAEA emergency response team member to the NRC INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS The Office of Intemational Programs (OIP) participates in intemational multilateral information exchange and coordination fora such as the Intemational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA).
Intemational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in preparation for the 42nd IAEA General Conference in September 1998, the NRC took the lead in drafting a resolution on Y2K readiness for the safety of nuclear power plants, fuel cycle facilities, and other enterprises using radioactive materials. That resolution urged, among other things, that Member States submit information to the IAEA on activities underway to inventory and remediate Y2K problems at their nuclear facilities, and that the IAEA act as a central coordination point in disseminating information about member state Y2K activities.
During numerous bilateral meetings with countries such as Argentina, Lithuania, Russia, and the Ukraine, the NRC presented the draft resolution and urged their support. Ultimately,28 member states co-sponsored the resolution, including a number of countries that have nuclear facilities whose safety are of particular concern to the U.S. Govemment.
In response, the IAEA has created a special project to address nuclear Y2K-related safety concems and contingency planning for nuclear power plants and research reactors, and is in the process of holding several Y2K workshops. The IAEA also conducted a survey of its
' Member State's Y2K programs in which the NRC participated (see i
http:/Avww.iaea.org/ns/nusafe/y2000/y2kinfor.htm).
Since the General Conference, the NRC has worked with the IAEA to formulate a Y2K program that would address nuclear safety aspects of Y2K issues, particularly those at Soviet-designed reactors in the New independent States (NIS) and Central and Eastem Europe (CEF'.
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The U.S. also provided a cost-free expert to the IAEA to assist in the establishment of lAEA Y2K guidelines and Y2K contingency planning.
The IAEA Department of Safeguards established a project in 1996 for Y2K conversion activities. The project covers assessment, conversion and testing of the software applications, instrument evaluation software, embedded systems, PC hardware attached to various equipment and computer infrastructure. In addition, the IAEA is working closely with Member States and the State's systems of accounting for control of nuclear material and on the conversion of systems used jointly with Member States at nuclear facilities.
In February 1999 OIP participated in an international seminar on Y2K and safeguards and physical protection sponsored by the IAEA. The seminar was attended by 47 IAEA Member States and OIP presented a progress report on the NRC's Y2K efforts. A working group was established and issued recommendations to regulatory authorities and facility operators on how to remediate Y2K problems in the area of pnysical protection.
Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)
In February 1998, the NEA sent a Y2K questionnaire to members of its Committee on Nuclear Regulatory Agencies (CNRA). The responses showed that participating regulatory bodies were taking aggressive steps with licensees to identify and solve Y2K issues. In August 1998, the NEA finished its work on an international e-mail notification system, enabling CNRA members to rapidly and confidentially exchange Y2K information. The CNRA members are Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, IAEA, Japan, Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States.
The NEA also organized a International Workshop on the impact of the Year 2000 on the Nuclear Industry which was held in Ottawa, Canada in February 1999 (co-sponsored by the IAEA). This workshop was also attended by regulators from the former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern Europe. On February 9,1999, NRC Chairman Jackson provided a keynote address and invited countries to participate in a Y2K contingency plan exercise later this year.
NRC and NEA are in the process of creating a Y2K Early Warning System (YEWS). Countries in earlier time zones, which will experience any Y2K-related problems before the U.S. does, have been invited to relate information about Y2K issues to YEWS in the quickest possible manner to enable ;icensees in participating countries avoid common-cause failures. This effort includes mainly Far Eastern countries, such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, which operaia U S.-style reactors, as well as certain European countries and Canada and Mexico. The time 6
difference for these countries vs. EST or PST ranges from plus 12 to 15 hours1.736111e-4 days <br />0.00417 hours <br />2.480159e-5 weeks <br />5.7075e-6 months <br /> (Far East) to 6 to 9 hours1.041667e-4 days <br />0.0025 hours <br />1.488095e-5 weeks <br />3.4245e-6 months <br /> (Europe). To the extent feasible YEWS will also be coordinated with the Departments of State and Energy.
NRC's main focus of bilateral contingency planning efforts is on Canada and Mexico. The NRC enjoys close bilateral ties with both countries and special emergency procedures are already in place permitting rapid and redundant communications should an emergency arise.
Contingency planning for these countries involves, among other things, the examination of Page 10 of 12
r i
existing procedures and communications channels for Y2K compliance. In addition, Canada and Mexico will participate in YEWS.
The Atomic Energy Control Board (AECB) of Canada is addressing the Y2K issue at Canadian nuclear power plants and hopes to have all plants Y2K compliant by June 30,1999. Members of the NRC's contingency planning team met with the AECB in December 1998 and again in February 1999 to discuss coordination of their respective Y2K contingency plans.
On April 5, representatives from the OlP discussed Y2K issues, among other topics, with the Mexican regulators in Mexico City. OIP has issued a formalinvitation to the Mexican regulator to discuss Y2K contingency plan coordination and expects to take up work in this area soon.
Other countries with which the NRC has technical information exchange arrangements are being individually contacted by NRC regarding Y2K issues as part of the ongoing emergency preparedness information exchart c NRC is exploring the possibility of using existing bilateral means of communications as red Ant communications channels should the regular international emergency response system fail during the Y2k transition period.
The Office of the Chief Information Officer prepared an information package to describe NRC's internal Y2K readiness program. OIP subsequently forwarded the information package to all countries with whom the NRC has bilateral safety cooperation arrangements.
CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS Congressional interest in Y2K issues remains high. New letters this month include: 1) Senator Bennett (R-UT) of the Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem wrote requesting the status of the NRC's mission critical systems; 2) that same Committee hintly with the Senate Appropriations Committee wrote inquiring about NRC's continuity of operations and conth,gericy planning,3) Rep. Markey (D-MA) wrote suggesting additional actions the NRC should take with its licensees regarding Y2K, and 4) Senator Snowe (R-ME) wrote regarding NRC's Y2K requirements for licensees. Additionally, Rep. Luther's (D-MN) office ( alled requesting basic NRC Y2K contacts in preparation for a town meeting he held in it te March on Y2K at which he wants to distribute information on government-wide contacts. The Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem is planning a hearing for late April on "Y2K and Nuclear issues" at which DOE and DOD will testify, focusing on nuclear concerns involving the U.S. and Russia. Lastly, that Committee issued a report, circulated on March 3, summarizing its findings following a series of Y2K hearings last year. The report recommended that the NRC expand its detailed Y2K assessments to include all nuclear plants and broaden the scope of its assessments to include operational issues.
The STAR (Standing for Truth About Radiation) Foundation held a " Nuclear Y2K" symposium in Washington D.C. on March 8,1999. The NRC staff provided a perspective on the Y2K issue.
Other participants were the Union of Concerned Scientists, Nuclear Information and Resource Services, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Environmental Coalition on Nuclear Pcwer and Congressman Edward Markey, who sponsored the symposium.
l Page 11 of 12 l
f.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND Y2K COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES As of mid-March, the NRC Web site was responding to approximately 5,800 page-requests per week for Year 2000 information. The most frequently-requested pages were:
NRC Year 2000 Page 33 percent of Y2K requests Nuclear Reactors Y2K Page 15 percent of Y2K requests Y2K Contingency Planning Page 10 percent of Y2K requests NRC Y2K Contingency Plan 7 percent of Y2K requests January 1999 EDO Y2K Status Report 4 percent of Y2K requests NRC Y2K References Page 4 percent of Y2K requests The Office of Public Affairs (OPA) has developed a list of frequently asked questions and i
responses that have been posted to NRC's Y2K website and forwarded to the President's Council on Y2K Conversion for posting to its website that provides consumer information. la addition, a Y2K mommunications plan has been developed to keep both the public and employees apprized of Y2K activities of the agency.
Cable News Network (CNN) interviewed members of the NRC staff on March 8 and March 29, 1999. The questions centered around the NRC's oversight of nuclear power plant licensee's Y2K remediation efforts.
On March 23,1999, the agency issued a press release announcing NRC plans to review Y2K programs at all 103 nuclear pbnts and to conduct soecial contingency plan audits at six plants.
The inspection results will be made publically avai' :ble after the completion of the reviews At the recent training session, OPA briefed inspectors on public affairs aspects of Y2K.
The staff issued an internal yellow announcement to make employees aware of NRC's Y2K contingency plan, particularly with regard to staffing our emergency operations centers and expectations for facility site staffing on December 31,1999. The announcement was signed by the EDO and posted on the LAN for all NRC employees.
Attachments:
1.
Timeline of NRC Y2K Oversight Efforts 2.
NEl Nuclear Utility Y2K Readiness March 1999 Survey Summary Page 12 of 12
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ATTACHMENT 2
I Q'$E I NUCLEAR ENERGYINSTITUTE James W.Devis t
oniEcuni OPERAnONS DEPARWENr.
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April 8,1999 Mr. Richard H. Wessman Deputy Director, Division ofEngineering U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington,DC 20555
SUBJECT:
NuclearUtility Year 2000 Readiness PROJECT NUMBER: 689
DearMr. Wessman:
l Enclosed is a summary of the March 31 reports from nuclear utilities on facility year 2000 readin 1
criteria used in the industry survey is taken from NEl/NUSMG 97 07, Nuclear Utility Year 2000 Readin) survey scope included all systems that will be reported by a facility using the voluntary response of Su Generic Letter 98-01.
Ifyou have any questions or comments, please contact me at 202-739-8105.
Sincerely, James W. Davis Enclosure
..-ni een.*
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1 Nuclear Utility Year 2000 Readiness March 1999 Survey Summary All plants responded to the March 1999 year 2000 readiness survey. There are 103 operational plants at 66 facility sites.
Reference:
NEI/NUSMG 97-07, Nuclear Utility Year 2000 Readiness and Supplement 1 to Generic Letter 98-01.
- 1. Initial assessment:
The initialinventory and associated assessment is a key milestone in defining the total scope of the year 2000 effort at a site. The initial assessment has been completed at all sites.
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- 2. Percent completion of the detailed assessment:
Detalled Assesement(March) 100 - -
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10-0 Plant Sites The detailed assessment is, on average,99% complete. Systems and components requiring remediation have been identified. Some facilities report they only need a small number of confirmatory tests, or are awaiting review of testing paperwork, d
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Plant Site Remediation is, on average,71% complete. Twenty sites have identified specific components or systems for which remediation will be completed after July 1,1999.
- 4. Contingency Planning:
Contingency planning is, on average,46% completed. Contingency planning is part of the facility readiness program and will be completed by all facilities prior to responding to NRC Generic Letter 98-01. The implementation phase will continue through key rollover dates.
- 5. Program Audits:
Program audits have been conducted at 65 sites and an audit at the remaining site is in progress. Many sites reported multiple audits. There have been 56 internal QA audits,36 cross-utility audits, and 40 third party industry audits completed.
Ten additional program audits are scheduled. The NRC staffis independently evaluating the program effectiveness for each site.
- 6. Safety System Issues:
No plant has found a Y2K problem that would prevent a safe shutdown. No 10 CFR Part 21 reports have been submitted to date.
2