The Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the major provider of electricity and natural gas to central and northern California, has taken the extraordinary step of warning its customers to prepare for possible major Y2K service interruptions.

Customers received the warning in the regular news brochure insert included with their February bills ("Spotlight" volume 9 number 2). Buried in the lead article ("Meeting the Challenge of 2000") is this statement:

"We also encourage you to consider your special needs. Make your own contingency plans in case communications, transportation, power or financial services may be interrupted by Y2K. No one knows if or how long any of these services might be affected, but being prepared helps in other kinds of emergencies, too.

"Because of the complex ways that computers and communications interact, and because we're dependent on other firms and groups, we regret that we are not able to issue any Year 2000 guarantees. But be assured that PG&E is taking strong measures to avoid service interruptions due to Y2K."

http://www.remar.../transcript.pl?group=comp.software.year-2000%3A50057845&update=137

-- Anon (anon@abc.com), February 12, 1999

Answers

We're a PG&E customer and know many people who work for them. The people we know are taking TEOTWAWKI route in preparing. There's a lot of hydro power in the PG&E system and power will be sent to the major cities first, smaller communities will be left in the dark. At least that's the rumor we are hearing.

-- daisy (daisy@sunshine.com), February 12, 1999.

Well, duh! Ok, I'm an electric company. I'm in the business of making money. I can either concentrate my efforts on restoring power to 1 million customers in one city, or 50,000 scattered all over hells half acre.

Clueless question of the day: who gets power back first?

-- Dan Webster (cantsp@mme.com), February 12, 1999.

Anon, please check the link. It doesn't work.

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), February 12, 1999.

The super high voltage transmission lines run hundreds of miles from the source(s) to the big cities. Is it possible to "tap" by induction (not a direct connection - ZAP!) some voltage from the vicinity of the lines where they dip low over a hill near "Smalltown, USA"?

-- Q (Q@tesla.com), February 13, 1999.

its at:

http://x13.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=443800500&CONTEXT=918921596.56780 3938&hitnum=4

-- a (a@a.a), February 13, 1999.

-- Q (Q@tesla.com), February 13, 1999. Is it possible to "tap" by induction"

Actually the best way to do this is to..

1) Collect several hundred feet of # 10 copper wire.

2) Ground yourself.

3) Toss the copper wire over the high transmission wire.

4) Fry, die and say hello to Benjamin Franklin

5) Do't try it unless you want to go away.

-- Freeman (freeman@cali.com), February 13, 1999.

You want to tap into high voltage lines? Tell me this is a troll, please.

-- RobbY2k (robby2K@unomail.com), February 14, 1999.

The PG & E action is interesting because many industries look to California as being a "bellweather" state. In other words, if it's happening in California, it may spread east. We shall see.

Comments?

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), February 14, 1999.

Q, just a guess -- any safe tap via induction would yield too-little and too-dirty power.

-- No Spam Please (anon@ymous.com), February 15, 1999.