Here is the "helpful Hints" on the NERC site to help Utilities present the best face during its April, 9 1999 system test. Will the issuance and use of these hints allow for a valid, truthful testing of the system or is this just leading up to an "optimistic" media event??? I understand that you need to establish test "parameters" but I think this is going a bit too far. I also wonder if they will stage the event like Maryland did: total communications with computers, Emergency services, and cellular phones? What an impressive simulation of a possible Y2K scenario. Limited communications could mean one telephone and one computer network not working. Number 5 below is a good example... They should have no communications. Or this should be done like in the military with "referees" saying... "that computer just went down, that phone network just went down, those batteries in that hand held radio were not recharged, etc"... that is a true test, not this Dog and Pony show. Here are a couple examples that I don't think represents a valid test: 1. 7 Do not make the drill to complex. We want to have a successful and meaningful story for publication. 2. 7 What will the final report look like. Work backwards from this in the development of the drill procedures. 3. With slightly more than two months to prepare for an event that has never happened before  an industry wide drill  what steps are appropriate (by whom) to facilitate these preparations and enhance success? 4. 7 Identify the success parameters before the test. What are the weaknesses we are looking for. 5. 7 Do not overload communication channels with drill communications. Identify specific phone numbers that will be used during the drill.

This is from GNs site but is linked to NERCs site.

NERC Schedules Industry Drill, Recommends Ways to Make It Successful Link: ftp://www.nerc.com/pub/sys/all_updl/docs/y2k/drill-prep...

Session 2-C (10:30  12:00) Y2k Drill Preparations Assignment: Discuss the following questions. Prepare a summary of major conclusions to present to other workshop participants at the general session in the afternoon. You will have about 10 minutes to summarize the conclusions (5-8 PowerPoint slides maximum). Background: The electric industry in North America is preparing to conduct a Y2k drill on April 9, 1999. The purpose of the drill is to prepare for operation with limited voice and data communications. A drill guide has been prepared defining the objectives and steps to prepare for and conduct the drill. Discussion Questions: 1. The April 9 drill is intended to instill public confidence through success and at the same time be a real test of our ability to operate with limited communications capabilities. How can these two goals be balanced to provide the greatest value from the exercise? 7 Start planning for it now. 7 Prior to drill, test the system(s) that will be exercised during the drill. 7 Document drill procedures. 7 Identify system(s) to be drilled 7 Identify people involved and responsibilities (operators, data gathers and observers) 7 Establish success parameters. 7 Verify that there are no real security issues during the time of the drill. 7 Do not schedule unnecessary maintenance during the date of the drill. 7 Individual companies who choose to should develop their own plans to notify and coordinate with their local media 7 Have a plan for proactive customers who may come forward with questions about their participation. 7 What will the final report look like. Work backwards from this in the development of the drill procedures. 2. With slightly more than two months to prepare for an event that has never happened before  an industry wide drill  what steps are appropriate (by whom) to facilitate these preparations and enhance success? 7 Statement from each region to their member systems their regional drill requirements and external drill issues 7 Control Areas are responsible for reporting their drill plans to other Control Areas in region before March 5th. 7 Companies should move forward on drill preparaton regardless of Region requirements to be determined 7 The Regions could slow us down because they do not currently have the guide. We should not wait on the regions. 7 Drill coordinators are in charge. Companies should identify their drill coordinators now. 7 Do not make the drill to complex. We want to have a successful and meaningful story for publication. 7 Identify the success parameters before the test. What are the weaknesses we are looking for. 3. Describe specific types of scenarios or scripts that would be effective considering the goals of the drill. 7 Identify the critical communication loops to be drilled. 7 Drill the people involved as well as the process. 7 The drill should not interfere with normal operations. 7 The drill should test partial loss of voice and data communications and partial loss of EMS functionality. 4. How can we ensure that conduct of the drill does not adversely impact normal operations on April 9? What types of controls are appropriate during a drill of this type? 7 Consider separate staff assigned to work the drill rather than normal operations staff. 7 Develop parameters and procedures to identify drill conditions so that they are not confused with actual real-time conditions. 7 Always say this is a drill before and after every drill communication. Identify documentation used in the drill as drill documentation. 7 Identify the drill controllers at each company now. The drill controllers can stop the drill at any time if necessary. 7 Maximize the use of power system simulators. 7 Do not overload communication channels with drill communications. Identify specific phone numbers that will be used during the drill. 7 Should use the normal staff to conduct the drill. It is difficult but necessary. Use of the training shift is one possibility. 7 Each individual utility should access their capabilities in determining the extent of testing they will perform. Do not bite off more than you can chew. 5. Are there any comments of the drill guide or the post-drill evaluation form? 7 Companies should have a clear definition of what success is and how to measure it. 7 NERC should distribute the final ASAP. 7 Will NERC [SCS] specify the time frame of the drill? There is a concern that some utilities may be responding to drill requests all day long. This information is needed as soon as possible as some are beginning training soon. 7 Was NERC aware that April 9 th is a real Y2K sensitive date? Answer: Yes, April 9 th is the 99 th day of 1999. 7 Page one identifies a paper by Joe Wilson. Where can the paper be obtained? Answer: Gene Gorzelnik is attempting to post the paper on the nerc web site.

-- Anonymous, March 03, 1999

Answers

Mark, there was much discussion of these drill strategies here about three weeks ago. There were several threads, but one I can remember is the February 10, "Industry preparations/strategies for the April NERC drill." A site search for "April and drill" will probably yield other threads with more comments and information.

-- Anonymous, March 03, 1999

FYI, received this off of the NERC list server today:

April 9, 1999 Drill Misconceptions Dispelled

The North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC), in conjunction with bulk electric system entities such as transmission providers, control areas, and independent system operators, is planning a year 2000 (Y2k) drill on April 9, 1999. The drill, which will involve all Regional Reliability Councils, will focus on sustaining reliable electric system operations during a simulated partial loss of voice and data communications. This drill does not involve customer electrical facilities.

Unfortunately, some descriptions of the drill and some presentations at Y2k-related meetings have incorrectly characterized the drill as:

• tests involving customer electrical facilities
• causing or possibly causing an interruption of electric service to customers, or
• involving a test of joint electric utility-telecommunications facilities that could or would cause an interruption of electric or telephone service to customers.

None of these characterizations are correct. It is a drill, and in no way will affect electric service to customers.

Shortly after the conclusion of the drill on April 9, a brief summary of the drill results will be posted on the NERC Y2k web site. A more detailed summary of the drill will be posted on the web site about two weeks later.

The April 9, 1999 NERC Y2k Drill Development Guide, which is being used by bulk electric system entities to design, develop,implement,and evaluate this drill, is available from the NERC web site at: http://www.nerc.com/~y2k/d rills.html

-- Anonymous, March 03, 1999