From the Environmental Defense Fund:
December 30, 1998
Y2K and the Environment: A Compendium of Potential Problems and Opportunities
Many operations designed to protect the environment and human health might have Year 2000 (Y2K) date problems because of computer programming or computer chip-related failures.1 These failures could include emissions sampling and related laboratory analyses, pollution treatment systems, leak detection systems, safety alarms, safety relief devices, security systems (which could lock out critical personnel), and power and water surge detection systems. Fortunately, many of the most dangerous industrial processes are designed to shut-down safely if problems are detected, rather than to behave unpredictably. Experts expect, however, that small and medium-sized companies are likely to have a tougher time than large businesses in ensuring that their operations are Y2K-compliant.
Potential Environmental/Safety Problems
Potential Opportunities
Potential Environmental/Safety Problems The accidental release of a dangerous chemical, caused by a power interruption and/or by multiple plant systems that are not "Y2K-compliant" A gas or oil pipeline accidental release due to pressure buildup caused by the failure of a computer to detect and address abnormal conditions Drinking water contamination caused by inaccurate laboratory results or filtration/disinfection system failure at a drinking water treatment plant Sewer or toilet backups or fish kills caused by a failure at a municipal or industrial wastewater treatment plant Garbage or industrial waste build-up from a waste disposal site failure (e.g., an incinerator that is not working properly) A safety or fire hazard from temporarily increased storage of flammable or reactive chemicals, either because of customer Y2K problems resulting in lack of pick-up, or indications of future supplier Y2K problems so extra materials are ordered to prevent a shortage Excess or inadequate flow in streams or rivers resulting in adverse ecological impacts including fish kills, caused by a dam's failure to ensure appropriate water flow An undetected leak to groundwater from a tank, pipeline, landfill, or an industrial pond caused by a failed computerized leak detection system
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Potential Opportunities Identifying and implementing solutions to Y2K problems can incorporate measures to enhance plant safety and environmental protection, including reducing the use of dangerous (including toxic, flammable, and reactive) chemicals and decreasing process pressures and temperatures Instead of merely fixing date-related software problems, many companies are upgrading their business software to increase efficiency in manufacturing, distribution, and accounting Installing solar energy reduces some of the uncertainty associated with power interruption. Since the nation's power grid is integrated and composed of many companies that may not be Y2K-compliant, it is considered by experts to be a weak link in prevention of industrial failures Shut-downs of potentially dangerous operations (after ensuring that enough employees are in place to address unforeseen contingencies and that start-up is unlikely to pose any problems) might be appropriate in certain instances, and can provide an opportunity for needed maintenance or infrastructure upgrades
Information compiled by Lois N. Epstein, P.E., Senior Engineer, Environmental Defense Fund (December 1998).
1 Failures can occur when two dates are subtracted and negative time periods result when two-digits are used, e.g., 00 minus 98 equals -2, for 2000 minus 1998. Additionally, the year 2000, or 00, might be confused with 1900, which is also 00. Note that there are multiple dates in 1999 through 2001 that might experience Y2K failures (e.g., certain operations look one year ahead in time, fiscal year 2000 often begins during 1999, and particular dates have computer-related issues such as 9/9/99).
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