The average reactor in the U.S. has thousands of embedded chips in numerous computer systems. An NRC audit of the Seabrook reactor in New Hampshire found twelve safety related systems and 800 other significant systems which were affected by theY2K problem. Meltdown could occur if computers report incorrect data and reactor personnel act upon this misinformation. Mile Island reactor disasters occurred because of operators acting upon incorrect data. External power failures could also cause reactor meltdown.
Nuclear reactors require power from the grid to pass coolant through the core.
Without power the core could begin to melt in less than two hours. In cases of power failure, reactors rely on diesel generators to run the cooling systems. The federal government is publicly saying that the risk of reactor problems is not great enough to justify shutting down the reactors for the New Year's transition. The public needs to let its officials know that Americans are willing to live without nuclear power through the New Year in order to avoid a nuclear disaster. Tell them to ensure that nuclear reactors are shut down for Y2K and are supplied with reliable back-up power.