Nuclear Plants

* I am an engineer who has been working on Y2K issues for nuclear power plants and I disagree; Helen Caldicott really is Chicken Little (“The Sky, Indeed, May Be Falling,” Commentary, Aug. 17). Her fear mongering about nuclear plant accidents at the turn of the year is based on fiction. The effort to be sure that this country’s nuclear power plants will remain safe and continue to operate through the beginning of the new year has been extensive. While safety has always had the highest priority, no real safety problems were uncovered in the analysis and simulation of Y2K.

Our colleagues overseas are also in good shape with regard to Y2K and safety system issues. Even the concerns about the former Soviet Union’s nuclear plants appear unwarranted because they use less advanced control systems without digital computers. You do not need a computer to open and close valves and make electricity.

EDWARD (TED) L. QUINN

Past President

American Nuclear Society

Dana Point