I was under the impression that the utilites have been insisting that they can isolate blackouts yet this paragraph in the NERC report to the UN gave me pause:

>While the electricity industry faces many y2K problems similar to >those of other industries, the electricity industry has certain >unique features. Our society literally runs on electricity. >Without a reliable supply of electricity to run computers and >electronic devices, the Y2K problems of the financial sector and >other sectors become secondary. Electricity cannot be stockpiled in >large quantities, so additional demands for electricity must be met >instantaneously by additional generation. In addition, all the >North American electrical systems are connected and operate as a >single system; thus, a localized failure potentially can have an >immediate effect throughout a large region.

They go one to say...

>In its September 1998 report to the Department of Energy, NERC found >that the potential impacts of Y2K on electric systems appear to be >less than first anticipated. At this point, the identified operating >risks are manageable and it is unlikely tht widespread electrical >outages will occur.

On the other hand they say...

>Still, there are significant Y2K concerns that the industry is >working to address. The most critical concern is associated with >embedded chips in voice and data communications equipment needed for >monitoring and control of power systems. While it is estimated that >only 1-2% of this equipment uses a time/date function in a manner >that could result in a Y2K malfunction, the interconnected nature of >electric systems make them sensitive to failure of any equipment.

They end by saying...

>NERC has established recommended industry-wide milestones for >assuring that North American electric systms are Y2K ready. The >recommended completion dates for remediation/testing phase of Y2K >preparations is May 1999. Mission critical systems and components (power production, energy management systems, telecommunications, >substaion controls and system protection, and distribution systems) >are to be made Y2K ready by June 30, 1999.

>The electricity industry is also placing considerable emphasis on >contingency planning for the year 2000 transition. NERC is >providing direct oversight of operational year 2000 contingency >plans for the three major interconnections. NERC is also planning >to conduct industry-wide drills in April and September 1999. >Contingency planning is also being implemented with each of the >regional reliability councils and at the level of individual >suppliers. NERC is targeting June 1999 as the date for completion >of contingency plans.

-- Anonymous, December 27, 1998