Interesting mix of Y2K activity in Georgia...

http://www.accessatlanta.com/news/1999/04/11/utilitiesy2k.html

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Companies face fines if glitches hit consumers

By Kathey Pruitt, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

State agencies now can make Georgia's utility companies and health care facilities develop emergency plans for the 2000 changeover and audit any that don't appear ready to take on the Y2K computer glitch.

The authorization comes from Gov. Roy Barnes, who says he wants to avoid being swept up in any hysteria, but at the same time plan for any problems that might occur as computers adjust to changing the last two digits in every date to 00.

Utilities and other agencies that fail to complete surveys updating the state on their Y2K readiness face fines of up to $1,000 a day.

Any phone, gas or electrical company or health care facility that fails to provide an essential service in 2000 due to lack of planning for the computer changeover will face fines of up to $10,000, according to the law Barnes signed Friday.

The state Public Service Commission, the Environmental Protection Division and the Department of Human Resources are the watchdogs that will monitor all the entities under their control.

The new mandate covers utility companies that provide water, sewer, gas, phone and electric services, hazardous material sites and health care facilities certified by the state.

Barnes has stressed that he doesn't expect critical state services to be disrupted.

As of January, 55 percent of state computers were on schedule for Y2K compliance, almost double the percentage that was on track by December, Barnes has said.

Additionally, the governor appointed a 10-member task force of business and community leaders, led by Southern Co. CEO Bill Dahlberg, to try to calm fears about potential Y2K calamities.

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-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), April 12, 1999

Answers

hmm...good catch Kevin! Interesting - the question is, does this actually encourage companies to be more diligent, or does it fall under the category of "if it gets really bad it wont be enforcable anyway"?

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), April 12, 1999.

The $1000.00 per day will help focus the attention of CO's.

If they did this Nation wide and gave retoactive fines for false or misleading reports, we might learn some real facts.

-- CT (ct@no.yr), April 12, 1999.

Good one Kevin.

Now, how to define "glitch."

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), April 12, 1999.

*As of January, 55 percent of state computers were on schedule for Y2K compliance, almost double the percentage that was on track by December, Barnes has said.*

Wow! That's some progress for just one month!

-- Just Sunshine (lurkinghere@ho.me), April 12, 1999.

Hmmmn - the esteemed city of Atlanta has fired the contractor who it had hired in November 1998 (and is now bringing them to court) who was supposed to do their inventory and Y2K surveys. Seems the company didn't want to use the same group of pre-selected "minority contractors" that the city mayor wanted them to use. The inventory has been done - but th ereport sits unopened and unusuable until the lawyers - both sides - get the contract issues and fees resolved.

So the city has not finished their inventory yet. But it will be compliant - sure. Yep. Right, sure. Trust me - I'm your mayor. I'm the guy who made sure the city looked good for the Olympics.

-- Robert A Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (Cook.R@csaatl.com), April 13, 1999.