Utility execs report Y2K will not affect power, gas

Officials concerned more about hype and panic than a glitch

The Detroit News

Metro Detroit utility executives see no problems with the Y2K computer glitch interfering with the electric power or natural gas supply. So there may not be much action in this control room simulator used to train workers to react to emergencies at the Fermi II plant in Monroe.

By Peronet Despeignes / The Detroit News

SOUTHFIELD -- A panel of utility executives told a group of more than 70 Metro Detroit officials and activists Monday that the Y2K bug is not expected to threaten the delivery of basic services such as power and natural gas. "The fix is generally in," Charles MacInnis, chief spokesman for Consumers Energy, told the audience gathered at Detroit Edison's complex in Southfield. Aaron Kelley, a spokesman for Michigan Consolidated Gas, told officials, "I feel really good about our entire scorecard. We plan on being Y2K-ready well before the fourth quarter." "Four organizations will determine whether Y2K is an event or nonevent: the utilities, community officials, emergency health care and the banking industry," said Detroit Edison Y2K czar Dave Peterson. "I'm determined that what we do together will make this a nonevent." Peterson said he feels good about the stability of the regional and national power grid. Some officials said their growing concern isn't Y2K, but Y2K hype and the possibility of Y2K-related panic as Jan. 1 approaches. MacInnis said he's worried about "the social and political dimensions of Y2K ... how people are going to react to this thing." Daniel Putman, an information systems manager for the city of Livonia, said utility companies have to prepare for the wave of "media hype that's coming." "The big concern we have is of media flaming a panic," said Muriel Zweigel, a member of Southfield Y2K, a community-based group. "Fear will bring panic if the utilities don't do a better job of (directly) informing the public." Utility officials on the panel said they would make public awareness more of a priority in coming months. Kelley said MichCon plans to take out ads in local papers. Detroit Edison plans to host another Y2K meeting of local officials and utility executives next month. The date and location have not yet been determined.

-- Norm (nwo@hotmail.com), March 16, 1999

Answers

I gotta give you credit for hanging tough with this crowd, Norm! <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), March 16, 1999.

He doesn't really hang tough, Sys, he just posts and then goes away. I think most of us here would welcome the opportunity for a little "verbal" jousting, but the guy doesn't post anything original; it's just regurgitated newspaper pap.

-- Vic (Roadrunner@compliant.com), March 16, 1999.

"Show me the numbers."

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), March 16, 1999.

Norm!

"The fix is generally in," Charles MacInnis. That says it all, in more ways than one.

-- Puddintame (dit@dot.com), March 16, 1999.

This Norm character is really beginning to fascinate me

-- (not@right.now), March 16, 1999.

I take it you're feeling optimistic today, Norm. You obviously live in the Detroit area, right?

-- Mabel Carter (usually@lurk.com), March 16, 1999.

Norm,

You find:

"A panel of utility executives told a group of more than 70 Metro Detroit officials and activists Monday that the Y2K bug is [NOT EXPECTED] to threaten the delivery of basic services such as power and natural gas. ["The fix is GENERALLY in," Charles Macinnis, chief spokesman for Consumers Energy, told the audience....."

[NOT EXPECTED] and [GENERALLY] doesn't sound to assuring to me.

"Peterson said he [FEELS GOOD] about the stability of the regional and national power grid."

[FEELS GOOD] Also, how does he know what the rest of the utilities are doing when a lot of them haven't been forthcoming with their self- reporting status reports?

"Some officials said their growing concern isn't Y2K, but [Y2K HYPE] and the possibility of [Y2K-RELATED PANIC] as Jan. 1 approaches."

[Y2K HYPE] I thought Y2K was a recognised universal problem. [Y2K-RELATED PANIC] The real crux of the matter. I do have to give them their due, however, at least they recognised that it would be Y2K-related panic.

It didn't strike me as a very forthcoming meeting with facts about the issue. It's obvious that most of the language in that piece is directed more at preventing panic than presenting any facts about the true status of the untilities, etc.

-- Vague (assurances@detroit.com), March 16, 1999.

For anyone who has not yet seen it, buy the latest (April) issue of Wired magazine -- finally, a near mainstream press rag that I think is even better than that well reknowned article in January's Vanity Fair. The primary focus is the power industry, as well emphasized by their all black "Lights out" cover.

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), March 16, 1999.

Not "all" utilities are so confident, in public.

Diane

See thread ...

PG&E's Y2K Statement In Latest Bill (& California Energy Links)

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

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), March 17, 1999.