I hate to appear paranoid or suspicious...but has it occurred to anyone else that the electric grid test is scheduled for April 9, which is, if I recall, one of the "dates to watch"? And isnt the 2nd round of tests on Sept 9?

-- Anonymous, April 05, 1999

Answers

Free Life, it has occurred to many others and has had a lot of discussion on this forum since last December (if I remember correctly). Since it's been brought up on a number of threads, the best I can recommend is that you do a Search (link to be found at the top of the New Questions page on this forum) for "April 9" or "drill" and read the links which come up. Lots and lots of information and opinions to be had.

To counter a popular misconception, you should also be aware that the April 9 and September 9 events are NOT tests of the grid, but Drills to provide practice and training for certain contingencies, such as potential disruptions to local phone communications. The Drills are arranged so they will not interfere with the normal utility operations and do not in any way test for individual utility Y2K readiness as far as generating processes go.

Have you ever seen or read about a hospital or emergency service performing a "drill" where people are tagged as having various ailments and others practice what to do? This is the type of thing the utilities will be doing, except they won't be dealing with bandages or stretchers, but with communications.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 1999

Thanks, Bonnie. I've just done the search and read and read and read:-)...the gist seemed to be that the apr 9 "test" is a test of contingency planning (not of the grid itself) and several people thought the timing could be deliberate just in case there were Apr 9 problems, the electric companies would have people in place. Is that about it? Or did i miss something? (It's awfully hard to keep up with ALL the Y2K forums and ALL the info, I appreciate those on this forum taking time to answer questions)

-- Anonymous, April 05, 1999

But wouldn't it be logical to rollover the date to 1-1-2000 on 9-9-1999? Then some issues could be resolved while the weather is warm.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 1999

Information from NERC on the drill is available at http://www.nerc.com/~y2k/drills.html A Northern States Power rep told me a drill was being held on a potential problem day so people would be in place in the event of a problem.

-- Anonymous, April 06, 1999

more news at:

http://www.nerc.com/y2k/newsitems.html

-- Anonymous, April 08, 1999