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greenspun.com : LUSENET : Electric Utilities and Y2K : One Thread

No oil problems, some oil problems, probably no oil problems, take precautions, don't hoard petroleum products. "However, a Coast Guard official testifying at the Senate hearing said the public should be cautioned not to hoard petroleum products or fill tanks a day or two before New Year's Day, because that could disrupt energy supplies."

"'We understand that that act alone repeated nationwide, could lead to shortages,' said Rear Admiral George Naccava. He said the Coast Guard was assessing the computer readiness of 50 key international ports..."

Reuters story on Excite, April 23

"U.S. oil and drug companies could face major problems from potential Year 2000 failures outside the U.S., the U.S. government said Friday."

"'We import significant raw materials in the pharmaceutical industry, we obviously import a lot of oil,' Koskinen said..."

"'If we have any significant interruption in that flow, either because the production facilities are challenged, don't work or the port facilities or the tankers, over time that will create a major problem for us,' he said"

Koskinen just said this, so he will probably say there is no problem tomorrow. I have noticed this pattern of behavior from him.

Do you feel you need to get that heating oil in December and then be labeled a hoarder? Do you feel you need to fill your gas tank late in December and be labeled not only a hoarder but be the cause of a shortage in fuel supplies? Do you think there will be a shortage in oil and therefore be brownouts, blackouts in electricity or are you cautiously optimistic crude oil will get to the ports and on the tankers and across the ocean and into our ports and into our refineries and to the trains, trucks, pipelines, and electric companies.

Do you feel you need a personal contingency plan just like every electric company in the country is developing a contingency plan? I hope you do because there are cross messages from various officials and the fact that there are cross messages says you need to be prepared for whatever happens.

-- Anonymous, April 24, 1999

Answers

Very good observation Marcella.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 1999

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