After reading Mr. Belasco's recent article in Westergaard, I find myself asking a few questions. Why would this individual be getting "private" messages about wonderful news? I should think various industries would be yelling from the roof tops about thier ability to out-wit the "Y2K bug". Secondly, he was given this information from a singular participant in the early October NERC conference (that was over a month ago). Could it be true that there are success stories in the telecommunications, electrical, hydro, nuclear and gas industries that nobody has been reporting about for the last month? Are the nuclear facilities cutting it close, with a July deadline? Am I worried over nothing or is this man reaching for anything positive at this point?

-- Anonymous, November 17, 1998

Answers

Have Mr. Balasco go to the Edgar site and type in Conectiv. I live in New Jersey and Conectiv is the name of the merger of Atlantic Electric and Delmarva. That is a large area here in the mid-atlantic region. On Nov. 12th, Conectiv filed their 10-Q. Scroll down to page 22 and take a look at their pathetic chart. I am shocked at where they are on y2k. How can anyone with good sense be spending all their time on the business software (billing) and completely ignore the production and distribution systems. Am I wrong? Can someone secretly tell me that these figures are a mirage and really convey good news? I would love for anyone to give an optimistic spin to this chart. In the meantime, I will be setting up my fallback position immediately. Bob

-- Anonymous, November 17, 1998

Bob I also live in So Jersey and Conectiva is my power company as well. I know how you feel. I'm the director of Atlantic county y2k Action and I've been focused on Conectiva's poor performance up till this pt. I've sent a letter to Congressmen Lobiondo in regards Conectiva. His office called them and they called me. I talked with a Mr.Richard Stokes Conectiva's Governmental affairs liason. I told him my group would fax him Roleigh Martin's famous 5 questions to ask you local utilities. We'll see if they answer or not? Either way I'll keep you up to date on this vital issue for So.Jersey. I've tried to get the local newspaper The Press to take an interest in this issue as well but they're gutless. So we can't expect them to sound any kind of alarm. If the answers to the 5 questions are bad news I'll write every mayor etc.in the county. If you want further proof about Conectiva's malfeasance go to their website and read their year 2000 section. Time to buy a generator or 2! Glenn

-- Anonymous, November 17, 1998

Here is an interesting exercise. Go to Mr. Belasco's recent article in Westergaard and count how many facts and how many unsubstantiated opinions exist.

-- Anonymous, November 17, 1998