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/drills.html.

-- Sophia Compton (scompton@athenians.com), March 09, 1999