Canada Report

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Electric Utilities and Y2K : One Thread

How can information on the status of electrical facilities be SO extreme in their assessments? Here is the latest "good news" from Canada. http://www.newswire.ca/releases/January1999/21/c7352.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Attention News Editors: Canadian Electricity Association - Release of Electric Utility Y2K Report

TORONTO, Jan. 21 /CNW/ - In a press conference this morning, the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) released the second in a series of reports on the state of Y2K readiness of Canadian electric utility companies. ``Much has been said and written about electric utilities and Y2K, based upon anecdotal evidence and conjecture'' said Hans Konow, President of CEA, ``This series of studies provides the only comprehensive review of the industry based upon facts rather than opinion''.

Among the findings in this report, are: - Extensive testing conducted to date suggests that the rollover to the Year 2000 will create only a minimal impact on electric system operations in North America. - Computer errors found thus far do not appear likely to threaten electricity supplies to customers.

``The continuing positive results from these readiness reviews are a reflection of the very significant efforts and resources utility companies have brought to bear on Y2K'' said Konow. ``As a result, Canadian electric utilities will be in an excellent position to maintain electricity service during critical Y2K transition periods.'' CEA's Y2K program addresses all Canadian electric utility companies, including investor owned companies, provincially-owned Crown corporations, municipal, and cooperative entities. CEA has been acting as a conduit between the Canadian federal government and the utility industry, and is working closely with other associations and stakeholders who represent critical infrastructure services in order to facilitate national contingency planning and communications activities. CEA is the national association of electric utility companies in Canada. The association's core membership consists of the 28 largest utility companies in Canada. Smaller utility companies and suppliers to the industry are associate members of CEA.

-30- For further information: Francis Bradley, (514) 866-5356, email: mailto: bradley@canelect.ca, bradley@canelect.ca or Romanie Vernham, (514) 866-5370, email: mailto:vernham(AT)canelect.ca, vernham(AT)canelect.ca

CANADIAN ELECTRICITY ASSOCIATION has 9 releases in this database.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 1999

Answers

I have not read the CEA report, nor do I know if I'll ever have the time to do so - but you might want to consider a few things. The CEA report was written as a followup to the NERC report (the NERC report supposedly covers Canadian electric companies as well). CEA is the Canadian equivalent of the US's Edison Electric Institute (EEI). Both are simply lobbying groups for the industry within their respective governments. Now, ask yourself - might they have a vested interest in painting as rosy a picture as possible?

-- Anonymous, January 24, 1999

I would like to validate the "Extensive testing." Does anyone know the number of defects found? Or the rate at which they are being discovered at this point?

-- Anonymous, January 25, 1999

I can't figure the reasoning behind these "rosy" reports. I would have thought they would be non-comital to hedge their bets. But to be so glowing in praise of the deficient remediation efforts thusfar doesn't make sense to me. Maybe if things go wrong they can blame outside forces for the crisis and everyone will be too busy and confused to care what the truth is. Otherwise these reports don't inspire anyone to greater levels of action.

-- Anonymous, January 26, 1999

A rose, by any other name, is still noncompliant. A really cynical thought. . . . if/when the government/corporations determine their efforts will not bring compliancy in time. . . . what IF a "cyber-terrorist" attack on critical systems happened to conveniently occur just prior to the fateful date rollover? This could save billions in lawsuits if the problem were blamed on the boogyman. The weather might make for a good boogyman too. I know. I'd have been the perfect paranoid to star in "Conspiracy Theory". Or maybe an Intelligence officer. Always thinking. . . . . But these hyper-rosy pictures painted by government and business bring out my worst paranoid tendencies. Simple truth would be a welcome and refreshing change, and one we all deserve.

-- Anonymous, January 26, 1999

I believe one of the most terrible aspects of the Y2K problem is the absence of a well-defined evil agent who is responsible. If this problem had been the work of an international conspiracy of hackers, the world would have been galvanized to fight it and to prepare for it from the day it was discovered. The absence of an evil source makes Y2K a wolf in sheep's clothing, impossible for most people to take seriously, and casts images of Chicken Little and religious extremism on those who do.

-- Anonymous, January 26, 1999


Bill, your post just crystallized some thoughts that had been circulating in my mind tonight. I think you've hit on a really important point. This evening my husband and I took our 23 year old son out to dinner. Hadn't really talked to him at any length for a couple of weeks; the hours he works put a crimp in getting together. We've talked to him about Y2K before, and he said tonight that he'd been casually mentioning it to customers just out of curiosity to see their reactions. (A couple of customers had even brought the subject up themselves!)

The most common reactions? Either "I don't believe in that," as if Year 2000 problems were some sort of religion being discussed, or a shrug with "If problems do happen, there's not a thing I can do to stop them." My son also offered up his own frustrations - "There's nothing to _fight_ against. The problems could be anywhere and everywhere and I can't fix them. I end up trying not to think about it because it makes me feel helpless."

If the above reactions are typical, then you're absolutely right about the problem being... well, just a widespread problem, with no "bad guy" to focus on. Like trying to fight a war against a completely boring enemy who doesn't fit any description of a "foe" we've ever run across. Many thanks, Bill, for fitting a puzzle piece in place for me. It IS a "terrible aspect" which I hadn't really taken into account before - but it explains so much!

-- Anonymous, January 27, 1999


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