Hello,

I'd like your help. After 18 months of running into the mind-boggling wall of the "Profound Mystery" (nearly universal local denial), our local paper ran this "Y2K Blackout?" article in last Sunday's paper. (This article is only the 4th or 5th article that paper - the area's only paper - has run on y2k.)

To put it simply, as jaded as I am, I'm mystified. I'm sure you'll see what I mean. To say it "concerns" me doesn't come close. The primary reason for that is this front page article was distributed to approximately 10,000 homes in a rural area 200 mile south of Canada where sub zero temperatures are the norm in January.

If you have the Time and willingness, I'd appreciate as much "astute input" as possible. I'd like to gather as much solid "evidence to the contrary" (or pointers to it) as can be gathered quickly.

You'll find the article posted in an otherwise empty forum just like this one. My intention is to take whatever input comes and blend it into the article to create a static web page my community (and others who encounter the same thing), may find "interesting."

Your comments, pointers, "letters to the editor/publisher," (posted or emailed privately), will be appreaciated. (By me, anyway.)

"Email clean" url: http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000b2L

Thanks,
Bill

-- Anonymous, March 13, 1999

Answers

Bill, thanks for the pointer to the article. My sense is that the statements from the utility reps demonstrate some degree of confidence that their systems will be ready, but they're being very careful about what they're saying. I find it encouraging that at least one of the utilities (Detroit Lakes) actually conducted an audit of one of their electricity suppliers plants. I am familiar with that particular plant (and the company that operates it, Basin Electric Coop) - BEC has been a leader in dealing with Y2k issues within the rural electric coop community.

Recommended reading for everyone. Here's a hot link to the article Bill posted:

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000b 2L

-- Anonymous, March 13, 1999