ELECTRIC UTILITY SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING RECAP (May 14 '98)
RICK COWLES: TAVA|R.W. Beck, Director of Year 2000 Industry Solutions - Witness
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Brian Malloy: "I was in the Rayburn Building yesterday and sat in on the testimony."
BIG PICTURE ... BOTTOM LINE
In reply to the congressional question: What is the date of no return on Y2K remediation? To paraphrase the Utility industry. Utilities are within the event horizon window. Contingency plans must be established now. Everything will probably not be ready.
Message 4472416
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MILLENNIUM COMPUTERS MAY SWITCH OFF LIGHTS, HEAT
At the latest in a series of House hearings on the outlook for computer failures in 2000, Hirning outlined the complex inter-connected system of the nation's power grid and its pipeline system for moving natural gas and oil, and their reliance on computers. "Energy companies use computers to connect plants, refineries, district offices, and major administrative and operational systems that interface with large data centers," Hirning said.
"Computers are also used to remotely control transmission system breakers, coordinate power generation schedules, compensate for large transmission line breaks, and provide protection against voltage, current and frequency fluctuations, " she said.
A millennium mistake could affect the microprocessors in the thousands of "embedded" systems that may be at one power plant, Hirning said. "Without testing, the potential impact of Year 2000 errors could cause some embedded systems to malfunction, possibly resulting in a ripple effect across a portion of the grid," she said.
While the industry is working to evaluate potential problems, Hirning said the "extent of completed Year 2000 work within the energy industry is largely unknown. Compilation of this information has been inadequate."
dailynews.yahoo.com
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Y2K GLITCH IMPACT ON POWER SECTOR UNCERTAIN, CONGRESS TOLD
The U.S. electric power industry may not be taking the year 2000 computer glitch (Y2K) seriously enough, witnesses told a congressional panel Thursday. But no one has adequately assessed whether the computer problem will pose electricity grid reliability problems when the clock hits 2000, the witnesses suggested.
"The consequences of not fully understanding the seriousness of the problem is the problem," said Kathleen Hirning, chief information officer for the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Message 4464159
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Texas PUC: Subcommittee Hearings - FYI: Texas is supposedly the "least vulnerable" state in the U.S. I live in Texas. Have been watching closely.
Because of their small size and the limited number of employees who can deal with Y2K issues, the [Texas] cooperatives reported a relatively small commitment in dollars and personnel to their Y2K efforts. Sixty-two percent of the reporting co-ops have between one and five people working on Y2K issues. Only three co-ops reported having more than six people assigned'
Message 4475596
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TAVA|R.W. Beck will have a HUGE market with electric utilities. No doubt about it. TAVA is part of the solution, not a part of the problem.
Some of you have to start thinking beyond TAVA stock price, and REALLY understand the seriousness of this whole Year 2000 issue.
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EDITORIAL: NOTHING TO DO WITH TAVA - HIT [PgDn] IF NOT INTERESTED
I don't know the new people who have come on board the TAVA thread, but I've gotten to personally know many posters and lurkers who have been on board since last year. I know many more TAVA people, than I do on the other three Y2K threads I've created.
I'm concerned and wanted to share my thoughts. Major problems will begin to occur much earlier than Jan 1, 2000. Massive problems will begin early next year. You MUST start taking the time to understand the overall picture NOW! What you decide to do with the knowledge is a personal decision. It's far easier to do nothing, and hope for the best. Personally, I don't think that's a wise decision.
Some people think that posting info like that from the above senate hearings is "hyping" or "spreading doom and gloom" in the attempt for certain businesses to make money.Very short-sighted and narrow thinking.
I post and try to pull together related stories, not to spread "doom & gloom", but to make people aware, so that they can be pro-active. Whether in this case, to apply pressure on utilities and the government ... or so that people can take personal precautions in the event there is disruption with utilities.
Utility disruption can and will affect our nations critical infrastructures:
- Telecommunications
- Electrical power systems
- Oil & gas production
- Storage
- Transportation
- Water supply systems
- Emergency systems
- Government services
We are ONLY as strong as our weakest link. It drives me crazy, that so few "get it".
Businesses, government, your community and family ... ALL will be affected. But since most people don't see the whole picture ... I'll put it on a very narrow, personal level.
My parents are in their 70's and live in Ohio. It can get pretty cold up there in the winter. I'm very concerned for their safety. I would prefer to take the precaution and have a wood-burning stove installed. Rather than take no action, and hope for the best. Taking precautions is a form of insurance.
I'll take many personal risks. But, I'm much more conservative when it comes to my family. I'm NOT willing to risk their safety.
Why do people buy insurance? Not because some disaster is GUARANTEED. It's to have some protection in the event a disaster does occur.
We have NO idea what degree of disruption will occur when or where. But, there definitely will be disruption ... throughout our entire infrastructure.
Years ago I used to do a lot of backpacking and limited amount of mountain climbing. You look ahead and assess your next move. You look for hidden dangers. You proceed cautiously. You need full knowledge of the terrain. The hidden dangers are what can harm you. That's what I'm most interested in.
Many posts that some perceive as negative or "doom & gloom", are merely attempts at fleshing out the terrain, so we all know what we're dealing with.
If you want to be aware, it's imperative that you monitor BOTH of these SI threads. Bookmark these sites!
Y2K IMPACT ON STOCK MARKET & SOCIETY
Subject 16203
Y2K EMBEDDED SYSTEMS & INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS
Subject 18990
I'm hoping that one day this thread can be of value:
Y2K PERSONAL CONTINGENCY PLANNING
Subject 20268
It's not there yet. Still relatively new. Need more meaningful contributors.
Good luck to all. Any "longs" in TAVA at this point-in-time, will be amply rewarded. IMHO
Cheryl
P.S. My perceptions and observations on Year 2000 problems are based on extensive "full-time" research over the past two years.
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