Thursday December 16 12:21 PM ET US Utilities 100 Percent Ready for Y2K Bug WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Americans can go to bed on New Year's Eve confident that the millennium bug won't disrupt their electric lights and power, the Clinton Administration said on Thursday.

Energy Secretary Bill Richardson declared that the nation's electricity utilities were 100 percent ready for possible Y2K computer problems, and had contingency plans in place to keep power flowing smoothly.

Consumers who bought portable electric generators out of fear about power shortages linked to the millennium bug should consider returning them to the stores, he said.

``My advice to the American people is, you don't need to buy power generators. If you can get a good deal on a return, do it,'' Richardson said.

He spoke after touring Potomac Electric Power Co.'s (NYSE:POM - news) control center in the Washington suburbs where the utility tracks its power and distribution to some 700,000 customers.

The Y2K problem stems from ....

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http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991216/tc/yk_electricity_2.html

Does anyone have any comments about this article? I've bought a generator, but have no intentions of returning it. There is too much conflicting information coming out for me to feel comfortable in freezing Michigan without a backup source of power.

Is Mr. Richardson so confident that he can make such a recommendation?

-- Anonymous, December 16, 1999

Answers

Interesting... The problem with this philosophy has more to do with preparedness rather than Y2K. What about non-Y2K power disruptions? Do we not need to be prepared for those? Does he really think that, other than Y2K, we won't really need a power back-up?

-- Anonymous, December 16, 1999

Energy Secretary Bill Richardson declared that the nation's electricity utilities were 100 percent ready for possible Y2K computer problems, and had contingency plans in place to keep power flowing smoothly.

Let's turn this one around.

Private citizen Rick Cowles declared that he is 100 percent ready for possible Y2K computer problems, and has contingency plans in place to keep power flowing smoothly (at his house, at least).

(And, no Bill, I'm not returning my "contingencies". Ya just never know when that ice storm is gonna hit...)

I'm shaking my head in disbelief. It strikes me as high arrogance for anyone in any government agency or any industry, knowing what we know about the breadth, scope and reach of the Y2k problem, to make such a confident pronouncement. If the above report is accurate, Secy. Richardson has today proclaimed that there is NO risk of power loss due to the Y2k problem. That's how it will be read by JQP.

I hope to God he's right.

He should, too.

-- Anonymous, December 16, 1999

I know that my water company spent 54 million dollars for 44 diesel generators as contingency to getting no power from Detroit Edison. DWSD has been around a long time. There have always been natural events such as storms to be prepared for. It seems more than a coincidence that just before Y2K they decide to spend all this money. Fifty four million dollars is a huge contingency plan.

Many goverment and military installations have also bought or rented generators at this time. I wonder if Mr. Richardson will recommend to them they take their's back?

Watch what they do....not what they say.

-- Anonymous, December 16, 1999

Some thoughts in response:

This reminds me that when Bell South tested some of the embedded processors in their systems which had been verified as compliant, they found an approximately 50% "lying rate" (their words, not mine), because so many of those chips were non-compliant. It's impossible for me to believe that Mr. Richardson is assuring us that every single processor in all of the grids has been checked.

If, or rather, because other Michigan electricity providers are assuring me that they are getting off the grid before midnight because of their lack of confidence in the big Michigan eu's, I can't feel any more confident than I do.

Late last year, the Michigan state legislature had a huge generator installed next to Cooley Law School. (And this is in a state whose government prides itself on being 100% compliant.) I won't be taking a trip to Lansing to verify its removal subsequent to Mr. Richardson's announcement.

Like Rick, I think I'll keep my generator.

-- Anonymous, December 16, 1999

Hmmm. Here's the press release from the Department of Energy:

Richardson Announces Nations Electricity Providers Report 100% Y2K Readiness

There's nothing in there about "returning your generators". But there are more wiggle words than you can shake a stick at. The press release concludes with:

While utilities have reported their Y2K readiness, Richardson advised that the public take the advice of the American Red Cross, which suggests that families prepare as they would for the possibility of a storm. People should have a flashlight on hand with fresh batteries, a battery-powered radio, adequate clothing, and a first-aid kit. And since New Years is a three-day weekend, Americans should prepare as they would for any other such holiday, with the right amount of food, water and other necessities.

But no generators, I guess...

I read elsewhere that the news conference ran on CSPAN on a tape delayed basis later in the day. I'll try to find it (or the time that it's scheduled to run again) and post some details.

-- Anonymous, December 16, 1999

Oh - and do me a favor - READ the title of the press release (it took a minute for it to sink into my brain) - "Richardson Announces Nations Electricity Providers Report 100% Y2K Readiness". [emphasis mine].

So. If it's not true, who's the scapegoat? That's all I want to know. No finger pointing. With whom does the "buck stop"? (Actually, this is probably a rhetorical question. I know the answer, and so do you.)

-- Anonymous, December 16, 1999

... and in the beginning there was light.

bill richardson said, "let there be light," and there was light. bill saw that the light was good.

now we have bureacrats and politicians that can walk on water... isn't that nice? what next? john koskinen levitating in front of the lincoln monument?

what an irresponsible ass!!!

-- Anonymous, December 16, 1999

CSPAN-2 6:00am EST in the morning will re-air the Year 2000 Readiness of Electricity and Natural Gas Industries

-- Anonymous, December 16, 1999

Well, I finally know what it feels like to be brain washed.

I was thinking on my way home from the grocery tonight that if I hadn't already prepared for y2k early this year, I probably would not have prepared at all. Subconsciously, I realized that I do not believe we will have any problems. I realized I was not concerned any more about my daughter who stubbornly refuses to leave Dallas or pay any attention to Y2K problems. Also, I found myself caught up in my normal world and thinking less and less about Y2K. This has happened gradually over the last few months. Tonight as I read this post I realized that I've been taking in the spin and I am unconsciously buying it.

It's a weird experience. I know intellectually that these government talking heads can't KNOW what will happen at rollover. I've read enough to KNOW that the risk is real, and that we are vulnerable to all kinds of problems, but I have gotten a false sense of security from hearing and reading all the good news, the repeated and repeated and repeated and repeated(well you get the picture) good news.

If that can happen to me, who's been reading these forums for over a year, I can easily understand why the average, john q., could care less.

Brainwashing is evidently not that hard to accomplish if you have enough resources to work with. Kind of frightening actually.

-- Anonymous, December 16, 1999

Linda,

I like your honesty and the even way you express it. I've felt the same sort of thing. I waffle back and forth on the level of preps I've made. I sure couldn't manage an end of the world scenario, but I've done a bit and I'm very aware of the message out there that I'm one of the foolish ones. Even admitting to having preps opens me to criticism. There's this sense that I'd be better off not letting on that I've put some provisions aside. I think the pretenders, the people who claim to *KNOW* what will happen, are threatened by the honesty of those of us who admit we do not know and therefore prepare.

It's the honesty factor. In my view that is what the crux of this is all about. Thank you for yours.

Stev

-- Anonymous, December 16, 1999

this a the crux of the whole polly/doomer debate. when there is so much controversy and dissension in all circles, at all levels regarding the impact of y2k on our society, our economy, and the world at large... how can one not prepare?

as flint said so many months ago... you prepare based on the stakes -- not on the odds.

to assume that all is right in the world and that y2k will have minimal impact is indeed folly.

we prepare, not only for ourselves or to make a point, but because we are responsible for those we love and those who depend on us.

the above is a repost from sometime last week... when in doubt remember...there is no agreement -- no one really knows.

this is a crapshoot.

so... are you feeling lucky?

is it worth the risk to NOT prepare?

-- Anonymous, December 16, 1999

Linda,

Isn't it ironic that a lot of folks mistrusted the utility testing reports and looked to the same gov. talking heads as proof positive that we would have what they referred to as "localized outages"? Some even called for government to audit the work of the utilities as a means to know the truth! Go figure!

-- Anonymous, December 16, 1999

cl,

A talking head is a talking head...a rose is a rose...(or a least it used to be)....

-- Anonymous, December 16, 1999

Those of us who have prepared will always have one precious knowledge in our memories in later years. We will know that we tried, the best we were able, given the information and resources available to us - to nourish and shelter ourselves and our families. No one can ever do more.

-- Anonymous, December 18, 1999

Now that winter has set in, I am so glad that we've done what we've done. My coal stoker provides constant, even heat unlike natural gas. And it only costs about $30.00 a year for coal - I'll save lots of money, regardless of what happens. The inverter, batteries & generator have been tested and the 500 gallon propane tank is full. My wood stove is ready, as well. I feel great! I also won't have to haul groceries in during the winter months, except for produce and perishables. I usually spend $700cdnper month on groceries, paper products etc. If nothing happens, the 6 month store of food that I have and the savings on my heat bill, will allow me to plan for a nice vacation for my family in July! I have always thought ahead. I don't take chances, even if things look peachy! There is risk, period! I have lived too long, and seen too much not to believe otherwise. Am I a crazy, fool? I don't think so! Looking ahead and making future preparations has always been to my families benefit - one way or another. I plan for everything. I sock money away in RRSP's (now in GIC's) JUST IN CASE we babyboomers will not receive pension. When my children were born I took out scholarship plans that I contribute to on a monthly basis so that I can provide for their education, JUST IN CASE education costs rise (and they are, drastically). My husband and I live on a average income, and do very well (at least I think, so!), yet I have friends that make twice as much as we do, and STILL have mortgages, credit card payments etc. - they'll be in deep trouble if their income is reduced. By the way, I don't work outside the home - my planning has allowed me to be a full- time mom. BTW, my husband is a mechanic for an oil maintenance and supply company. They have done NOTHING to remediate their systems, check with their suppliers, etc. This is a very successful business, with no large debt and they still think Y2k issues are baloney! Should be interesting!

-- Anonymous, December 18, 1999

I saw a film clip of this. Mr. Richardson said that 100% of U.S. utilities were reporting that they were ready for Y2K. So, if there are problems, he probably figures his posterior is protected. "Those dirty no-good power companies, and their industry-funded cohorts in crime, NERC, lied to me, dadblame it!"

Anyway, now FEMA can return the thousand diesel generators it purchased for Y2K. ;)

Let us not forget that the jolly Mr. Richardson is also the same fellow who, while U.S. ambassador to the UN, swore to the world that it was routine for him to interview twenty-something interns for UN positions. In their apartments. On Saturday mornings.

Mr. Richardson used to be a fairly respectable congressman representing northern New Mexico. Then he got ambition.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 1999