Very simple question right? I would like to hear some answers to this question by the programmers that are actualy working in the power plants. The public really needs to know this to prepare for y2k.

-- Anonymous, August 11, 1998

Answers

Hi, Bruce!

I'm so glad you asked this question. I've been checking back, eagerly awaiting a response from one of the people who might know the answer, but nothing!

The silence is deafening. And deeply disturbing.

Is there anybody out there? Bad news will be appreciated; no weapons pointed at the messengers! Promise!

-- Anonymous, August 18, 1998

Unfortunately, Bruce, there's no simple answer to this question. I'm working with power companies and transmission network operators every day of the week on the Y2 issue, and as far as forcasting how severe this thing is going to be:

We're all still operating from ouiji boards trying to peer into the Y2k future.

My best guess continues to be that there will be significant regional impacts. There's still too many municipal power authorities and co-op organizations that have not made any significant inroads with their Y2k program. For a publicly available example of what I'm talking about, go to the Minnesota link off of the euy2k.com newsroom webpage. Power Pools and Independent System Operators have, for the most part, just started assessing transmission network exposure. While the North American Electric Reliability Council has been given the charter by U.S. Department of Energy to collect rollup preparedness information, NERC will not be making it's first report until mid-September. It's also my understanding that the NERC effort is not focused on all electric power providers / distributors, but primarily on the major companies in each region.

There's no doubt that my shirt-sleeve forecast will change with time and as more information becomes available, so stay tuned to this channel for updates. ;-)

-- Anonymous, August 18, 1998

There was an article in alocal paper yesterday that Tucson electric power who serves at least a million customers in this area alone (no idea of their true coverage) is selling their generation facilities in AZ and NM and will be mainly in the power distribution business . Why now ? Why sell some of their generator sites ? you have to decide the real reason of this move .(the reason given is profitability but thats to vague) think about it!!!

-- Anonymous, August 22, 1998

Tucson Electric Power has an aggressive 'embedded chip' program to examine and test all date sensitive systems and devices in the company. This includes the power generation, transmission and distribution of power to consumers. The key steps of this program are inventory and risk assessment, testing for compliance, remediation (typically upgrade or replace), final acceptance testing and implementation. The company is in the testing and remediation steps at this time. Tucson Electric Power has one of the earliest Year 2000 programs for its Enterprise Applications. An initial inventory and assessment of Enterprise Applications was conducted in 1990. A replacement strategy was adopted and several major Enterprise Applications have been replaced. Review and remediation of the remaining Enterprise and Desktop Applications have been ongoing since 1996. The announcement by the company to sell its generation facilities is not related to this Year 2000 issue. The Arizona Corporation Commission has ruled that stranded costs can only be fully recovered by selling the companies generation facilities. Stranded costs are a major financial issue with TEP. Actually, the selling of generation facilities will probably shorten the embedded chip program schedule since the Year 2000 status is normally included in the acquisition/divestiture due diligence process.

-- Anonymous, August 25, 1998

City of Tacoma Wa, has put one of their power generation facilities up for sale too. You can go to their web site and verify. No mention of Y2K anywhere on the public web site though. Also, I tried to ask if the Port of Tacoma Facility was Y2K compliant and the jist of the reply was... who's asking?

-- Anonymous, September 01, 1998

In my opinion this is the most critical question. I believe from reading what could happen that every programmer available should devote every ounce of time and strength that they can muster up and concentrate on the power problems. Common sense tells us all that without power we are dead ducks sad to say. I feel that Rick has really touched on a key factor in that there will be major interuptions if not a total blackout. This in itself is the most scary part because of the consequences.

-- Anonymous, September 20, 1998