I am a little confused about the business strategy reportedly being pursued by many of the power companies. My understanding is that while they are trying to fix for Y2k, they are more worried about the appearance of compliance, rather than really being compliant with contingency plans to keep power flowing to their customers.

How can this be? Aren't most utility employees themselves also consumers of that power? And have a vested interest in making sure the electricity keeps flowing - to their own homes?

Why would they take shortcuts in testing, fixing, etc. that would harm themselves personnally?

-- Anonymous, September 17, 1998

Answers

My mother's neighbor is a senior technician with Portland General Electric. He says manual is an option here BUT he is very distressed with the management that has done little or no contingency planning.

Power is bought and sold like the Chicago futures pit. Imagine you're in senior management now. Do you disturb current earnings or take the dead last buck and apologize later.

Seems politically expediant to do the former, afterall everyone will be in the same boat and even if they stayed untouched, profits would be seriously down.

When they do pull out and reasonably normal life has been restored, I expect the middle class to be like the proverbial frog in the water where all normal elements of life; water, electric etc will be so increased that savings or even maintaining the pre-y2k life style will be prohibitive. Naturally the extreme cost will have to be "shared" by the consumer.

Bleed just a tad more blood out of that turnip- sadly, it will happen slow enough the "everyman" may not get it until too late.

Do I think big business and government is evil- no but history paints clear and succinct lessons the individual might do well to heed.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 1998