News & Events

Progress over the last six months indicates that nuclear generation facilities are on track to achieve Year 2000 readiness both for systems required to operate the plants as well as other systems needed for efficient plant operation well into the 21st century. All nuclear generation facilities are following a standard industry program to achieve Year 2000 readiness. The Nuclear Energy Institute has closely coordinated the effort of the 103 operating nuclear power plants, providing periodic status reports to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff as well as inputs for this report to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Today, facilities are nearing the end of the detailed assessment phase which identifies the specific components that have a Year 2000 issue. Finishing this phase is an important milestone, because it is the point where all Year 2000 issues have been identified and needed remediation scheduled. Facilities have been asked to increase their effort to complete the few remaining assessments so we can complete this phase.

Most of the industry's effort is focused on completing remediation on schedule and developing contingency plans at each plant. Our goal is to have contingency planning completed by the end of June.

Testing has shown that reactor safety systems, those systems that directly affect the ability to operate and shut down the plant, will function properly, if required.

The nuclear industry established an ambitious goal for facility readiness that goes well beyond those systems needed for plant operation or to meet regulatory requirements. I am confident that nuclear generation facilities can complete the full scope of their programs and will continue to supply electric power to the grid well into the next century, while maintaining a high level of safety.