STP News Release

South Texas Project Nuclear Plant Is Y2K Ready

Sept. 28, 1999 -- Wadsworth, Texas --  The South Texas Project has met Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements and is ready for the Year 2000 date change Jan. 1. The twin-unit nuclear power plant officially notified the NRC today that all systems and equipment needed for continued safe operations are fully functional and will not be affected when computer "clocks" roll forward New Year’s Day.

STP reported to federal regulators in June that it had completed all crucial Y2K preparations with the exception of two computer systems that were not yet in full operation. One of those systems went online in July and the other became fully operational this week.

"This is a significant achievement, and the result of many hours of work by scores of people sitewide," Year 2000 Program Manager Mark McBurnett said. "Thanks to their excellent efforts, STP is well prepared for the Year 2000 rollover."

STP launched a sitewide Y2K Readiness Program in 1998 to review plant equip-ment and controls, business and support systems, and even spare parts to identify which ones could pose a Y2K risk. A handful of devices – 34 in an inventory of more than 125,000 separate equipment items – needed corrections to be Y2K-ready. In some cases, the solution was as simple as resetting dates that would not properly roll forward next year.

Key items in business and support systems, primarily computer hardware and software, also were evaluated and corrected as needed. Year 2000 problems were solved with software modifications and patches supplied by vendors or designed by STP’s in-house computer groups.

To help ensure that new Y2K issues will not arise, STP surveyed its nearly 200 mission-critical vendors. All have either gave written assurances or posted information on their Websites indicating their products pose no Y2K problems. The nuclear plant also requires a Year 2000 warranty from every vendor.

"The Y2K Team worked very hard to make sure we can continue to provide power safely and reliably as the New Year arrives," STP Nuclear Operating Company President and CEO William T. Cottle said. "We'll be facing 2000 with confidence."

The South Texas Project, located between Bay City and Palacios, generates electricity for more than one million homes in Texas. STP is jointly owned by Austin Energy, Central Power and Light Company, City Public Service of San Antonio and Reliant Energy HL&P.

-- Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure --