UTILITIES] Yet another article mentioning utilities
A few months ago I really had to do some searching to find such articles. Nw you pick them up like pebbles on the beach.
John
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'Friday May 15 9:58 AM EDT
Millennium Computers May Switch Off Lights, Heat
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In an industry where a glitch can leave people shivering in the dark, the nation's
electricity and fuel providers still don't know how vulnerable they will be to Year 2000 computer malfunctions, a
federal regulator said on Thursday.
"The magnitude of the potential year 2000 problem in the regulated energy industries is not yet known," Kathleen
Hirning, chief information officer with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) told a House Science
subcommittee.
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."
She said the FERC, which regulates much of the nation's electricity system and interstate oil and natural gas
pipelines, is planning an "outreach" program to "encourage its regulated companies to take responsible action to
ensure that their energy systems will continue to function on January 1, 2000 and beyond."
But Hirning said the Year 2000 issue "presents an unusual problems for FERC" because it does not have direct
authority over regulated companies' internal operations.
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