For those who wonder if Rick Cowles' concerns about the utilities are overly alarmist, check out the National Guard's posting at http://www.ngb.dtic.mil/y2k/impact.htm. Don't go to sleep reading the first few lines about coffee pots and thermostats malfunctioning. IMHO, the Guard has ZERO motive to overstate the problem. Just thinking about widespread power outages is a courageous act for any officer whose job becomes hellacious if that scenario comes to pass. They've been briefed, they remember the oath they took to protect the American people, and they feel an ethical obligation to say something, even if they did mention coffee pots first. I hope it stays on their website.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 1999

Answers

Bill,

The individuals who created the Y2K information on the National Guard Web site need to be commended. They have realistically appraised the consequences of Y2K and outlined steps to deal with it. Other federal agencies need to take note, as they provide a through analysis of the problem as well as an action plan.

I strongly suggest others check-out the NG page. Especially those with any lingering doubts about how real the problem really is.

Bill, thanks much for posting information on their site.

Bill Watt

-- Anonymous, January 09, 1999

It is also reported in WorldNetDaily news that FEMA,the National Guard and other Federal Agencies engaged in Y2K planning are expecting loss of electical power and according to some officials,nuke plants could be shut down in July while they still are able to use power to shut down.Check out www.worldnetdaily.com when page comes up click on "Y2K badnews on PowerGrid" Some of the info for this news comes directly from a couple of NationalGuard Officers. Anyone with an opinion on this story. Thanks Bill for your E-mail reply

-- Anonymous, January 11, 1999