ML20216F485

Responds to from Dk Rathun of Nrc,Which Requested Info on Concerns Raised by C Leneman,Re Y2K Readiness of Us Npps.Nrc Reviewed Repts That All 103 Nuclear Plants Have No Y2K-related Problems

ML20216F485
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Issue date:	09/10/1999
From:	Travers W NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To:	Brian Lee HOUSE OF REP.
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ML20216F488	List: ML20216F485 ML20216F493
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g UNITED STATES g

j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 30666-0001 September 10, 1999 The Honorable Barbara Lee 1Wiember, United States

' House of Representatives 1301 Clay Street Suite 1000 N Oakland, CA 94612

Dear Congresswoman Lee:

I am responding to the letter you sent to Dennis K. Rathbun of the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on August 9,1999, in which you requested information on concerns raised by one of your constituents, Ms. Cecile Leneman, regarding the Year 2000 (Y2K) readiness of the U.S. nuclear power plants.

By way of background information, I am pleased to tell you that over the past several years, the

. NRC staff has been working with its licensees to ensure that potential Y2K issues have beer identified and corrected in order for plants to function properly during the Y2K transition. The NRC has issued Information Notice (IN) 96-70, " Year 2000 Effect on Computer System Software," December 24,1996; Generic Letter (GL) 98-01, " Year 2000 Readiness of Computer Systerns at Nuclear Power Plants," May 11,1998; and GL 98-01, Supplement 1, " Year 2000 Readiness of Computer Systems at Nuclear Power Plants," January 14,1999. IN 96-70 informed all licensees of the potential problems that nuclear facility computer systems and software might encounter during the transition to the new century. In GL 98-01, reference is made to Nuclear Energy Institute / Nuclear Utilities Software Management Group (NEl/NUSMG)

' 97-07, " Nuclear Utility Year 2000 Readiness," which describes an approach that all licensees

- have agreed to utilize in addressing the Y2K issues at their facilities. This guidance document (NE1/NUSMG 97-07) came out of a joint effort between NEl and NUSMG. In GL 98-01, 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 plant licensees submit written responses regarding their facility-specific Y2K readiness programs. Licensees were required to report their Y2K readiness status by July 1,1999. Licensees that were not ready were requested to provide their schedule for completing their Y2K activities. Supplement 1 to GL 98-01 expanded the scope of the reporting requirements to include the systems that are necessary for continued plant operation and that are not covered tiy the terms and conditions of the plant's license and NRC regulations.

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The NRC has received reports that all 103 operating nuclear power plants (units) have no Y2K-related problems that directly affect the performance of safety systems. As of September 1,1999, licensees for 75 of these plants indicated that all of their computer systems that support plant operation are Y2K ready. Licensees for the remaining 28 plants reported that they have additional work to complete on a few non-safety computer systems or devices to be g g1M Pf8kh Qpg 9909220060 990910 PDR REV0P ERONUMRC PDR j(Z d \\ 2lL 1

I Honorable B. Lee 2

fully Y2K ready and provided their schedules for completing the work. Of the 28 plants, about 15 need work on operational support systems, or systems needed to support power generation.

Other plants need work on plant monitoring and administrative systems, or systems needed to support administrative functions, such as a data base for spare parts inventories. Typically, the remaining Y2K work that is to be complet:d has lesulted from the need to wait for a plant outage scheduled in the fall in order to perform the work or the necessity of wa' ting for delivery of a replacement component. None of the remaining work affects the ability of a plant to shut down safely,if necessary.

One of a number of initiatives undertaken by the NRC staff to address the Y2K issue was the conduct of 12 sample audits of licensee Y2K readiness programs. The NRC staff determined that this approach was an appropriate means of oversight of licensee Y2K readiness efforts because all licensees had committed to the nuclear power industry Y2K readiness guidance (NEl/NUSMG 97-07)in their first response to NRC GL 98-01 and because the NRC staff had not identified any Y2K problems in safety-related actuation systems. The sample of 12 licensees included large utilities, such as Commonwealth Edison and Tennessee Valley Authority, 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 encompassed more than a single nuclear power plant site because many utilities own more than one nuclear power plant. In all,42 of 103 operating nuclear power plant units were ascociated 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 would be on schedule to meet the readiness target date of July 1,1999, established in GL 98-01. In late January 1999, the I

NRC staff completed the 12 audits. On the basis of the audit findings, the staff concluded that the audited licensees were in the process of effectively addressing Y2K issues and were j

undertaking the actions necessary to achieve Y2K readiness in accordance with the GL 98-01 target date.

In an effort to verify and assess the effectiveness of licensee contingency planning, in May and June 1999, NRC audit teams conducted additional comprehensive audits focused on the area of Y2K contingency planning at six unaudited plants. The audits reviewed internal facility risks, external risks, individual component / system contingency planning, and integrated contingency planning. The results of these audits, as well as the results of the 12 sample audits, are available at NRC's Public Document Rooms and can also be found on the NRC's Y2K Web i

site, http://www.nrc.aov/NRC/ NEWS /vear2000.html.

In addition to the NRC staff activities previously mentioned, regional NRC inspectors reviewed plant-specific Y2K program implementation and contingency activities at all nuclear p'ower plant facilities. The inspectors used guidance prepared by the NRC Headquarters staff who conducted the 12 sample audits and the 6 contingency planning audits. On the basis of the reviews, the staff found that licensees were implementing Y2K programs in accordance with staff-approved industry guidelines.

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Honorable B. Lee.

3

- Ms. Leneman expressed specific concem that spent fuel pools are not backed up by attemative power system 3. At most operating nuclear power plants, the emergency onsite power systems (which are back up power systems) can directly supply electric power to its spent fuel pool cooling systems. At those plants in which the spent fuel pool cooling system is not directly connected to the emergency onsite power system, the capability exists to connect the cooling system to the emergency onsite power system within an acceptable time period. Requiring additional backup sources of electrical power is not justified in view of the length of time.

between loss of spent fuel cooling and the point at which there is a significant threat to integrity of the spent fuel rods. Nuclear power plant licensees are required to keep the spent fuel pool filled to a level more than 23 feet above the top of the fuel rods and, generally, the water temperature in the pool is to be maintained below 140*F. For a typical pool with a capacity of about 400,000 gallons and a worst case heat load causing 50 gpm of water loss as a result of -

evaporation, it would take about 3 days for the pool level to drop to the top of the fuel racks.

This estimate does not include the heat-up time of 3 to 4 hours4.62963e-5 days <br />0.00111 hours <br />6.613757e-6 weeks <br />1.522e-6 months <br /> for the pool water to increase from 140*F to 212*F. This scenario assumes a total loss of all ac electric power and that no corrective actions are taken for 3 days in response to the decreasing water level in the spent fuel pool. For a more typical heat load, the time to uncovering of the spent fuel pool would be around 2 weeks, again assuming that no make-up water is added to the pool. Assuming loss of offsite power and failure of onsite emergency power sources, the only action necessary would be to provide make-up water to the spent fuel pool. The existing plant operating / emergency procedures provide for initiation of make-up water to the pool upon detection of low level. At many plants, the make-up water supply is provided by a plant safety system. Upon loss of all ac power, make-up water from any source, such as fire hoses supplied by diesel-driven fire pumps, can be used to maintain the required water level in the pool. Therefore, in light of the substantial period of time available for a licensee to take mitigative actions upon loss of spent fuel pool electrical power, providing an additional backup source of power is not warranted at any operating nuclear power plant.

The NRC will continue to monitor progress at those plants that have remaining work to be

. performed and will independently verify comp!etion of these items, including Y2K contingency plans that specify procedures for dealing w;th unexpected events. The staff has developed guidance for appropriate regulatory acticns to be taken for those facilities that were not Y2K ready by July 1,1999. As stated in the enclosed press releases, by September 30,1999, we will make a final determination whether additional regulatory action is warranted to address Y2K readiness issues. We believe that all licensees will be able to operate their plants safety during the transition from 1999 to 2000 and beyond, and we do not believe that significant plant-specific action directed by the NRC to address possible Y2K problems is likely to be needed.

Additional Y2K information on all operating nuclear power plants is available at NRC's Y2K Web site at htto://www.nrc.oov/NRC/ NEWS /vear2000.html. This Web site also identifies Y2K resources, notices, conferences, and other related information.

Honorable B. Lee 4

The NRC remains committed to its oversight of the nuclear power plant licensee Y2K readiness efforts in order to ensure safe operation of these facilities throughout 1999,2000, and beyond.

Please contact me if you have any additional questions on this matter.

Sincerely, illiam DOvave l

Executive Director

]

foi 9 erations 0

Enclosures:

1. Press Release No.99-168,"NRC Establishes Policy for Regulatory Actions for Nuclear Power Plants That Are Not 'Y2K Ready'"

2. Press Release No.99-191,"NRC lssues Report Confirming No Y2K Problems Affecting Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants - Updates Y2K Readiness Status" j

4 1

l

huclear Regulatory Commissia http://www.nrc. gov /OPA/gmo/nrarev/99-191.htr Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Public Affairs Washington DC 20555 Telephone: 301/415-8200 E-Mail: opa@nre. gov 1

News Release Index I News and Information l NRC Home i E-mail No.99-191 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Tuesday, September 7,1999)

NRC ISSUES REPORT CONFIRMING NO Y2K PROBLEMS AFFECTING SAFETY SYSTEMS OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS - UPDATES Y2K READINESS STATUS The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a report confirming by onsite reviews that at all 103 U.S.

nuclear power plants there are no Y2K-related problems which affect the performance of safety systems needed to safely shut down the plants.

The report, NUREG-1706, " Year 2000 Readiness in U.S. Nuclear Power Plants," integrates the results of NRC's onsite reviews of all nuclear power plants and utilities' July 1 response on Y2K readiness. While al plants report Y2K readiness for safety systems used for shutdown, some plants are completing Y2K readiness activities for systems not required to safely shut down the plants.

The chart that follows depicts the path to timely Y2K readiness based on current information.

Nuclear Power Plant Y2K Readiness O AdrrinistrativeSystems 160 -

@ OpestionalSuppenSystems

• • I 140 -

All:afety-relsied systems Y2K ready 100 -

} 80 -

60 -

40 -

20 -

0 7/1/99 8/1/99 9/1/99 10/1/99 11/1/99 12/1/99 12/16/99 l

As depicted by this chart, allplants are expected to befully Y2K ready prior to the transition period.

Typically, for those plants not fully Y2K ready, work will be completed in conjunction with a scheduled i

Iof4 9/8/1999 6:42 AN

• NacirerRegulatory Commissict http1/www.nrc. gov /OPA/gmc/ararev/99-191.htr plant outage in the fall or when a replacement component is delivered. The NRC will continue to monitor and verify completion of all Y2K activities.

Most of the earlier NRC onsite re' views of licensee Y2K programs at the 103 plants provided sufficient information for the staff to conclude that licensee Y2K readiness programs were consistent with acceptable industry guidance. However, the NRC could not complete reviews oflicensee programs for 14 plants because reviews were conducted early in April or May and these plants had not completed some of their Y2K preparations when NRC was on site.

In follow-up reviews of these 14 plants, the NRC determined that, in only one case, Cooper Nuclear Station, an integrated contingency plan (consistent with industry guidance) had not been completed even though this plant reported July 1 it was Y2K ready. As a result of this determination, the Cooper Station was categorized as "not Y2K ready" as of September 1 as reflected in the attached table on nuclear power plant Y2K readiness and NUREG-1706. Subsequently, on September 2, the licensee notified NRC that it had completed its integrated contingency plan, which the NRC will verify.

In addition, Cooper informed NRC it had discovered during an audit that three pieces of equipment were evaluated improperly by its contractor. (Typical Y2K programs involve the evaluation of over 2000 items).

One piece of equipment was from an operational support system and the other two were from administrative systems. None of this equipment involved systems needed to safely shut down the plant.

Cooper has notified NRC that it has corrected these deficiencies, reviewed the contractor's work, and determined there are no other deficiencies. The NRC has conducted inquiries to assure that this problem is unique to Cooper and does not affect any other plants. The NRC has no indication that this problem extends to other plants.

In summary, the NRC concludes: (1) that at all 103 plants there are no Y2K concerns that could affect the performance of safety systems, (2) all licensees are following staff-approved industry guidance for achieving Y2K readiness, and (3) the completion schedules for the remaining few non-safety-related Y2K items will be completed before the transition from 1999 to 2000. At this time, the NRC believes that all licensees will be able to operate their plants safely during the Y2K transition and does not anticipate the need for the NRC to direct any significant plant-specific actions.

i l

The full NUREG report is available on NRC's Y2K website at:

I www.nre.cov/NRC/ NEWS /vear2000.html.

Thefollowing table provides the Y2K readiness status of U.S. operating nuclearpowerplants. As stated above, these are no Y2K concerns that could affect the performance ofsafety systems. For those plants not alreadyfully Y2K ready, the projected completion date is indicated in the right column.

Table: Nuclear Power Plant Y2K Readiness Status i

as of September 1,1999 Completion Status /Date Plant Name Arkansas 1 and 2 l

Y2K Ready I

Beaver Valley 1 and 2 l

9/30/99 Braidwood I and 2 j

Y2K Ready Browns Ferry 2 and 3 l

10/31/99 Brunswick 1 l

Y2K Ready l

2cf4 9/8/1999 6:42 Alv

• NudmarRegulasory Commissia http//www.nrc.g:v/oPA/gmo/nrarev/99 191.htr i

Brunswick 2 l

Y2K Ready l

Byron 1 and 2 l

Y2K Ready 1

Callaway l

Y2K Ready _

l Calvert Cliffs 1 and 2 l

Y2K Ready i

Catawba 1 and 2 l

Y2K Ready l

Clinton l

9/22/99 j

Comanche Peak 1 l __

11/30/99 l

Comanche Peak 2 l

10/30/99 l

Cooper l

9/20/99 Crystal River 3 Y2K Ready l

)

Davis-Besse l

Y2K Ready I

Diablo Canyon 1 and 2 l

10/3199 D.C. Cook 1 and 2 l

10/30/99 Dresden 2 and 3 l

Y2K Ready Duane Arnold l

Y2K Ready Farley 1 l

Y2K Ready Farley 2 12/16/99 Fermi 2 j

Y2K Ready

~

Fitzpatrick l

Y2K Ready Fort Calhoun l

Y2K Ready Ginna l

Y2K Ready Grand Gulf l

Y2K Ready Harris j

Y2K Ready Hatch 1 and 2 l

Y2K Ready Hope Creek l

10/29/99 Indian Point 2 l

Y2K Ready __

Indian Point 3 l

Y2K Ready Kewaunee l

Y2K Ready LaSalle 1 and 2 I

Y2K Ready Limerick 1 l

Y2K Ready Limerick 2 I

9/30/99 McGuire 1 and 2 l

Y2K Ready l

Millstone 2 and 3 l

Y2K Ready Monticello l

Y2K Ready i

Nine Mile Point 1 and 2 l

Y2K Ready i

Nonh Anna 1 l

Y2K Ready l

Nonh Anna 2 l

10/29/99 Oconee 1,2 and 3 l

Y2K Ready Oyster Creek

{

9/30/99 Palisades l

Y2K Ready l

Palo Verde 1,2 and 3 l

Y2K Ready 3 of 4 9/8/1999 6:42 AN

• Nucles'rlteguissesy Commissia http//www.nre. gov /OPA/gmo/nrarev/99-191.ht

' Peach Bottom 2 l

9/30/99 l

Peach Bottom 3 l

10/31/99 Perry

~

l Y2K Ready J

Pilgrim j

Y2K Ready l

Point Beach 1 and 2 l

Y2K Ready i

Prairie Island 1 and 2 l

Y2K Ready j

Quad Cities 1 and 2 l

Y2K Ready l

River Bend l

Y2K Ready l

Robinson 2 l

Y2K Ready i

Salem 1 l

11/6/99 Salem 2 l

10/29/99 San Onofre 2 and 3 l

Y2K Ready _

Seabrook l

Y2K Ready Sequoyah 1 and 2 l

10/31/99 South Texas 1 and 2 i

10/31/99 St. Lucie 1 and 2 l__

Y2K Ready Summer Y2K Ready Surry 1 and 2 l

Y2K Ready

.Susquehanna 1 and 2 Y2K Ready Three Mile Island 1 10/21/99 Turkey Point 3 and 4 Y2K Ready Vermont Yankee l

9/30/99 Vogtle 1 and 2 l

Y2K Ready Washington Nuclear 2 l

Y2K Ready Waterford 3 l

Y2K Ready Watts Bar l

10/31/99

[

lWolfCreek l

Y2K Ready 4 of4 9/8/1999 6:42 Ah

r 1

Rtip /www.nre gov /OPNgmo/nr:sev/99-168.htm Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Public Affairs Washington DC 20555 Telephone: 301/415-8200 - E-mail: opa@nrc. gov No.99-168 August 6,1999 NRC ESTABLISHES POLICY FOR REGULATORY ACTIONS FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS THAT ARE NOT "Y2K READY" The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved a policy to guide regulatory actions for nuclear power plant licensees that did not report that their facilities were "Y2K ready" by July 1.

The new policy, which applies to those 35 plants that were not Y2K ready as of July 1, provides for regulatory actions to be taken sufliciently in advance of the December 31 to January 1 transition to assure that nuclear power plants will be in a stable, safe condition during the Y2K rollover date.

Under the new policy, for those plants with a projected Y2K item completion date between July I and September 30, (about 13 plants) the NRC will continue to monitor licensees' progress, verify completion ofremaining Y2K-related activities, and document results in NRC inspection reports.

The degree of additional NRC scrutiny for the remaining plants (about 22) will depend on the nature of the work that needs to be completed to be Y2K-ready.

Plants with non-safety, support systems and components that are not Y2K-ready or plants that have incomplete contingency plans for these systems could require additional meetings, audits, or requests for additional information. There are about 10 plants in this category.

• Plants with non-safety systems that affect power operation that are Y2K-ready or those plants that i

have incomplete contingency plans for these systems will be subject to additional regulatory actions which may include issuance of an order requiring specific actions by the licensee. There are about 12 plants in this category.

By September 30, NRC will make a final determination whether additional regulatory action is warranted to address Y2K readiness issues. At this time, NRC believes that all licensees will be able to operate their plants safely during the transition from 1999 to 2000, and that NRC-directed plant-specific action will not be needed.

All 103 operating nuclear power plants reported July 1 that their plant safety systems were Y2K-ready and that there were no remaining Y2K-related problems that could directly affect the performance of safety systems or the capability for safe shutdown of the reactor. In addition,68 of these plants reported 1 or2 8/20/1999 8.43 AM ENCLOSURE L

j

httpl/www.nrc gov /OPNgmo/nrzrev/99-168.htm e

they had completed, as the next order of priority, Y2K-readiness work for all of their computer systems that support plant operation. The remaining 35 plants reported that, to be fully Y2K-ready, they still had additional work to complete on a few non-safety computer systems or devices.

For about one half of the 35 plants, some work remains on systems needed for power generation. Other plants must perform remediation on plant monitoring and administrative systems. Typically, the remaining Y2K work will be completed during a scheduled plant outage in the fall or delayed while awaiting the delivery of a replacement component. In each case, the licensees with work remaining have provided satisfactory schedules for completing the work.

Current Status of Nuclear Power Plant Y2K Readiness The plants that have Y2K work remaining are continuing to progress toward Y2K readiness. As of August 1, five more plants have reported that they are Y2K-ready bringing the total to 73 operating nuclear power plants that are fully Y2K-ready. This reduces to 30 the number of plants that have remaining work on non-safety systems and components to be fully Y2K-ready.

He " Year 2000" or Y2K problem refers to computers' 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, computer systems could read "00" as 1900, rather than 2000, potentially causing computer systems to malfunction. "Y2K-ready" means that j

functions provided by computer systems will be carried out successfully with the coming of the Year 2000.

Additionalinformation on the policy can be found in a staff paper, SECY-99-162, on NRC's Y2K web site at: www.nrc. gov /NRC/ NEWS / year 2000.html.

y NRC Home Page l News and Information l E-mail l

2 or2 8/20/1999 8A3 AM

o Honorable B. Lee 4

The NRC remains committed to its oversight of the nuclear power plant licensee Y2K readiness J

efforts in crder to ensure safe operation of these facilities throughout 1999,2000, and beyond.

k Please contact me if you have any additional questions on this matter.

Sincerely, Original signed by Tennk J. Mi rN;11e Jo A

• Nilliam D. Travers Executive Director for Operations

Enclosures:

1. Press Release No.99-168, "NRC Establishes Policy for Regulatory Actions for Nuclear Power Plants That Are Not 'Y2K Ready'"

2. Press Release No.99-191,"NRC issues Report Confirming No Y2K Problems Affecting Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants - Updates Y2K Readiness Status" DISTRIBUTION: See next page i

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power and that no corrective actions are taken for 3 days in response to the decreasing water level in the spent fuel pool. For a more typical heat load, the time to uncovering of the spent fuel pool would be around 2 weeks, again assuming that no make-up water is added to the pool.

Assuming loss of offsite power and failure of onsite emergency power sources, the only action necessary would be to provide make-up water to the spent fuel pool. The existing plant operating / emergency procedures provide for initiation of make-up water detection of low level. At many plants, the make-up water supply is provided by a plant safety l

system. Upon loss of all ac power, make-up water from any source, such as fire ses supplied by diesel-driven fire pumps, can be used to maintain the required water level in e pool.

j Therefore, in light of the substantial period of time available for a licensee to t e mitigative actions upon loss of spent fuel pool electrical power, providing an additiona backup source of power is not warranted at any operating nuclear power plant.

The NRC will continue to monitor progress at those plants that have maining work to be

performed and will independently verify completion of these items, cluding Y2K contingency plans that specify procedures for dealing with unexpected event The staff is developing guidance for appropriate regulatory actior,s to be taken for tho facilities that were not Y2K ready by July 1,1999. As stated in the enclosed press relea, by September 30,1999, we will make a final determination whether additional regulatory a on is warranted to address Y2K readiness issues. At this time, we believe that all licens s will be able to operate their plants safely during the transition from 1999 to 2000 and bey d, and we do not believe that significant plant-specific action directed by the NRC to address ssible Y2K problems is likely to be needed.

Additional Y2K information on all operating nuci r power plants is available at NRC's Y2K Web site at <http://www.nrc. gov /NRC/ NEWS / year 2 0.html>. This Web site also identifies Y2K resources, notices, conferences, and other r ted information.

The NRC remains committed to its oversi t of the nuclear power plant licensee Y2K readiness efforts in order to ensure safe operation these facilities throughout 1999,2000, and beyond.

Please contact me if you have any add' onal questions on this matter.

Sincerely, William D. Travers Executive Director for Operations

Enclosure:

Press Rele se No.99-168, *NRC Establishes Policy for Regulatory Actions for Nuclea wer Plants That Are Not 'Y2K Ready'"

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- pool would be around 2 weeks, again assuming that no make-up water is added to the pool.

Assuming loss of offsite power and failure of onsite emergency power source], the only action s

necessary would belo provide make-up water to the spent fuel pool. The dxisting plant i

, operating / emergency procedures provide for initiation of make-up water to[the 'ool upon detection of low level. At many plants, the make-up water supply is provide, d a plant saf system. Upon loss of all ac power, make-up water from any source, such as, re hose a pplied by diesel-driven fire pumps, can be used to maintain the required water levej n- -

ool.

Therefore, in light of the substantial period of time available for a licensee t take mitigative actions upon loss of spent fuel pool electrical power, providing an additio I backup source of power is not warranted at any operating nuclear power plant.

The NRC will continue to monitor progress at those plants that have emaining work to be performed and will independently verify completion of these items neluding Y2K contingency plans that specify procedures for dealing with unexpected event. The staff is developing guidance for appropriate regulatory actions to be taken for tho facilities that were not Y2K ready by July 1,1999. As stated in the enclosed press rele e, by September 30,1999, we will make a final determination whether additional regulatory ion is warranted to address Y2K readiness issues. At this time, we believe that all licens s will be able to operate their plants safely during the transition from 1999 to 2000 and be nd, and we do not believe that significant plant-specific action directed by the NRC to addres ssible Y2K problems is likely to be needed.

Additional Y2K information on all operating nu ear power plants is available at NRC's Y2K Web site at <http://www.nrc. gov /NRC/ NEWS / yea 000.html>. This Web site also identifies Y2K resources, notices, conferences, and othe related information.

The NRC remains committed to its ov sight of the nuclear power plant licensee Y2K readiness efforts in order to ensure safe operal on of these facilities throughout 1999,2000, and beyond.

Please contact me if you have an 4dditional questions on this matter.

Sincerely, William D. Travers Executive Director for Operations

Enclosure:

Press Release No.99-168, *NRC Establishes Pelicy for Regulatory Actions for Nuclear Power Plants That Are Not 'Y2K Ready'*

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. pool would be around 2 weeks, again assuming that no make-up water is added to the pool.

Assuming loss of offsite power and failure of onsite emergency power sources, the only action necessary would be to provide make-up water to the spent fuel pool. The existing plant operating / emergency procedures provide for initiation of make-up water to the pool upon detection of low level. At many plants, the make-up water supply is provided by a plant safety system. Upon loss of all ac power, make-up water from any source, such as fire hoses supplied by diesel-driven fire pumps, can be used to maintain the required water level in the pool.

Therefore, in light of the substantial period of time available for a licensee to take mitigative actions upon loss of spent fuel pool electrical power, providing an itional backup source of power is not warranted at any operating nuclear power plant.

)

The NRC will continue to monitor progress at those plants th9t have r ining work to be performed and will independently verify completion of these iteme; tFI uding Y2K contingency plans that specify procedures for dealing with unexpected events, e staff is developing guidance for appropriate regulatory actions to be taken for those f ilities that were not Y2K ready by July 1,1999. As stated in the enclosed press release, y September 30,1999, we will make a final determination whether additional regulatory action ' warranted to address Y2K readiness issues. At this time, we believe that all licensees w' be able to operate their plants safely during the trcnsition from 1999 to 2000 and beyond, d we do not believe that significant plant-specific action directed by the NRC to address poss' le Y2K problems is likely to be needed.

Again, additional Y2K information on all operating n lear power plants is available at NRC's Y2K Web site at <http://www.nrc. gov /NRC/ NEWS // ear 2000.html>. This Web site also identifies Y2K resources, notices, conferences, and other lated information.

The NRC remsns committed to its oversigh f the nuclear power plant licensee Y2K readiness efforts in order to ensure safe operation of ese facilities throughout 1999,2000, and beyond.

Please contact me if you have any addit' nal questiens on this matter.

Sincerely,-

William D. Travers Executive Director for Operations

Enclosure:

Press ease No.99-168, "NRC Establishes Policy for Regulatory Actions for Nucle Power Plants That Are Not 'Y2K Ready"'

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FROMs DUE: 08/30/99 EDO CONTROL: Gl9990411 DOC DT: 08/09/99 FINAL REPLY:

R prc~;entative Barbara Lee TOs R0thbun, OCA FOR SIGNATURE OF :

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I Travers, EDO DESCt' ROUTING:

Y2K COMPLIANCE (Cecile Leneman)

Travers Knapp Miraglia Norry Blaha Burns DATE 08/17/99 Congel, IRO Satorius, OEDO ASSIGNED TO:

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EDO AUTHOR:

BARBARA LEE, REP AFFILIATION:

U.S._ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ADDREiJEE:

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SUBJECT:

. NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS Y2K COMPLIANCE....

ACTION :

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SPECIAL' HANDLING: OCA TO ACK CONSTITUENT:

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NOTES:

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