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Future Black Outs

Florida Power Denies Plans for Rolling Black Outs

CLEARWATER, Florida. -- August 15, 1998 -- In a conversation on Wednesday, August 12, a member of Citizens for a Stable Community (a group concerned about Year 2000 issues),spoke with Mike Meidel, Area Manager with Florida Power Corp., who was surprised to hear that the group had information revealing Flordia Power was ready to use Rolling Blackouts as a way to cope with power shortages in the year 2000 (also known as Y2k). Rolling blackouts is the rotation of shutting off power to different neighborhoods in order to make a little power go a long way. This was how Florida Power handled shortages due to storms during the cold snap of Christmas of 1989. When queried further, Meidel said Florida Power had no specific information to give out at this time. But he offered that they were looking into addressing such public concerns about their electrical production and delivery system in the near future. Later, Joose Hadley voiced concerns about the Crystal River Nuclear Power Facility to Mary Estes in Florida Power9s Public Relations. 3There are reports that the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) will shut the Nukes down prior to Y2k as a precautionary measure,2 she told Estes. 3Can you give us any further information on that?2 In response, Estes said that they have been working on the Y2k problem for 3 years, but as of this time they have no information to release to the public. She did say, 3It is a thoughtful process,2 and they are working on it. Fred Segesman, Co-Chairman of CSC said, 3It9s not our purpose to stir up controversy. But the citizens deserve to know the straight scoop. We don9t want to be surprised when Y2k arrives and our power supplies are hit!2 During their conversation, Hadley pointed out to Estes that in its corporate profile Florida Power states that 19% of its power generation comes from nuclear (power plants) and 26% of its power is purchased from other sources2. 3What worries me2, says Hadley, 3is that they might be purchasing the extra power they need from the East coast grids which rely on their own nuclear facilities. Based on their own figures we stand to lose up to 45% of our power should the NRC need to close down nuclear facilities.2 Estes had no comment. 3It9s like pulling teeth! Why is it so difficult to get information about something that is so vital to our every day lives?2 complained James Hadley, Chairman of the citizens group. 3It makes me concerned when someone is reluctant to give out information. We hear all sorts of rumors, but we need to replace rumors with comprehensive and accurate information on the power company9s true status.2 He said further, 3I want to wake up Saturday morning January 1, 2000, and have my lights come on, my coffee maker perk, and my toast pop up!2 Members of Citizens for a Stable Community have been trying to get information since June. At that time they requested information from Florida Power about its plans to be ready for the Millennium. They were told all requests must be made by letter. However, when they did so, they were sent a form letter from the Information Technology Department stating 3due to the volume of inquiries...we are unable to respond to individual questions2.

-- Joose Hadley (citstacom@earthlink.net), October 02, 1998.