Which state in the U.S., in general, is best prepared for Y2k vis a vis electrical power? I would think somewhere not heavily dependent on nuclear or able to be isolated (grid-wise) from the rest of the country. Which areas best meet that definition?

I like my electricity. I am a creature of comfort, and have no desire to take a survivalist approach. But I'm not opposed to moving where the lights *will* in fact, be on.

Any ideas?

-- Anonymous, January 08, 1998

Answers

That's the million dollar question, Dan. Personally, I would look toward Texas. Two reasons:

1. Texas is an island unto itself, with respect to power distribution. As far as I'm aware, Texas has only minimal distribution system interconnection with neighboring states.

2. The Texas state government arguably has the most aggressive regulatory involvement in Y2k issues. I was at a seminar in October in Austin where the representation by state government and regulatory agencies was outstanding. I believe the Texas PUC is conginzent of the electrical infrastructure issues vis a vis Y2k, and is at least monitoring the Y2k response of local electric companies. I'm not sure what they're actually doing in terms of policy setting, and I'm not sure that they actually could *do* anything from a regulatory position other than push on the appropriate industry pressure points. Never-the-less, the Texas state PUC is at least doing *something* - which is more than I can say for most states.

So that's where I'd be looking were I looking to move to safer harbor because of concerns with electrical supply reliability.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 1998

Another possibility to consider: Isolated and/or sparsely populated areas. In parts of Alaska, you "utility" may consisit of a diesel or gas turbine generator in your tiny town -- and that's it. Some places still aren't part of any large system. If those generators are old (no computer controls), you may be ahead of the game.

-- Anonymous, January 13, 1998

I currently favor the Pacific Northwest (OR, WA, BC). Most power is hydro power. Still lots of embedded devices, but less than in heat-driven generating facilities, and not subject to interruption of fuel delivery.

As for distribution, I have no credible evidence any regional utility is making satisfactory progress, but BC Hydro is very active.

Worst case: winters are temperate, fresh water is abundant.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 1998

Won't there be rolling blackouts everywhere?

>Note: I posted this 31 Jan 98 in comp.software.year-2000 subject: >"Re: NRC Bombshell" but thus far there has been little response.

This brings two questions to mind:

1. If some areas of North America are solely or largely dependent on a failed power source (nuclear or fossil) are there any rules or contracts (apart from "sharing the misery is the decent thing to do") that would compel regions with ample power (hydroelectric, say) to force their local customers to endure rolling blackouts, in order to give some power to other regions?

2. Is it practical, in the time remaining, to re-wire the distribution system so that, in case of rolling blackouts, it is still possible to supply uninterrupted power to whatever users are deemed survival critical? This might include oil refineries, food processing and distribution, hospitals, the phone system and such. Or if it is not possible, how many of these have backup generators and a reliable fuel source?

Clive Tobin

-- Anonymous, February 02, 1998

alternative to moving

I was supprised to read that you would be willing to move to where you know for certain that the electricity will not be affected by y2k. I am in the process of looking at gernerators as an alternative to living in the dark. I can not say that I would be willing to move when all that is involved is filling a generator with gas every so often. I certainly don't concider a $2,000 generator as big of an investment compared to picking up and trying to sell a house and moving somewhere else either.

-- Anonymous, July 06, 1998

In response to the previous reply about simply buying a large generator rather than moving, (a) how much gass are you planning on buying ahead of time, and (b) how certain are you that widespread, long-term power outages will not interrupt national supply systems? It could get hard to start planting crops in February in oh, say up state New York. I would personally (and do plan to) find a region with a decent climate and near a hydro-power station. Even if the world as we know it crumbles (yuck) its easier to re-build or sustain civilization around a non-interrupted source of power. (Nukes are vounerable to y2k bugs, and oil/coal to supply)

-- Anonymous, August 25, 1998