Alliant Energy: Memo To Employees On Y2K
asked in the TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) Q&A Forum
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A couple of weeks back, I was given a copy of a memo written by Alliant Energy CEO Erroll Davis to all Alliant employees concerning vacation scheduling during the Y2K rollover. At the time, I did not pass it along because I could not verify its authenticity. I have since spoken to others who also received this memo and I now believe it to be authentic.
For those of us who have been preparing for Y2K for a while now, you will find no Earth-shattering news here. Neither will you find any highly proprietary or 'dirty' company secrets. I think Alliant has been one of the more forthcoming and responsible of all the power utilities I have seen. What I think you will find here is reason to continue your preparations.
I am passing this memo along at this time because I believe:
It offers evidence beyond what Alliant has published at their web site and in their 10-Q statements that the company is taking Y2K extremely seriously and is doing every thing it can to keep troubles to a minimum.
It offers evidence that they have serious doubts as to how successful they will be.
It acknowledges the risk posed by the interdependence of our electric utilities and that of their vendors.
It offers evidence that personal and community preparations remain highly prudent. People who are prepared have no reason to panic. They have no reason to be angry. They have no reason to cause problems for others around them.
In short, I think it offers clear evidence that Alliant will be doing its part and that those of us who are Alliant's customers must also do our part by preparing to endure disruptions without becoming angry or impatient. We should expect disruptions, prepare for them, and be patient enough to give them the sufficient window opportunity they will need to address problems as they occur.
Frankly, I'm encouraged by this information. They are taking it very seriously. They will be doing their part to get through this. The question is, will the rest of us all be doing our parts as well?
Date: December 22, 1998
To: Alliant Energy Corporate Services and Utility Employees
From: Erroll Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer
Re: Year 2000 Vacation Scheduling
As you are all aware, we are working very hard to identify and fix all of our Year 2000 (Y2K) problems. Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee that we will have all of our issues resolved, and even if we do, it is less likely that those with whom we are connected will have theirs solved as well.
We provide critical and vital services to the public. When New Years's Day of the year 2000 comes, we must be prepared to tackle any unexpected problems that may emerge. That task for many of us will not be made easier by having to make physical adjustments during an often very cold period of the year.
We have done an excellent job identifying and making changes. We, however, as a critical part of the public infrastructure, must do more than that. We must plan for the worst and we must put contingency plans in place to cope with whatever happens, both on Jan 1, 2000 and the days that follow.
The simple reality is that in order to respond, we must have people at work during what is often a leisurely year-end period. With the 1999-2000 transition, it is likely that much of the Alliant Energy workforce and management will need to be available and mobilized to implement our extensive contingency plans. I cannot tell you at this point that you definitely will be needed. I would ask, however,that you not make any plans for vacation that are not easily changeable for the December 1999-January 2000 time frame, and specifically, the week before and after Jan. 1, 2000. I appreciate that this may represent a hardship to many of you, but we must also appreciate our responsibility to the more than one million customers who depend on us daily. As always, if you have a problem, please discuss it with your supervisor.
Clearly, as our contingency plans get crisper, we will be able to identify for you more clearly what role we expect you to play. Until then, I would ask, again, that you remain flexible in your vacation scheduling.
You should also expect that even after we get past Jan. 1, 2000, problems are likely to slowly emerge. Suppliers may begin to experience problems and systems may slowly grind to a halt. We are working with our vendors to make sure our supplies are adequate, but, nonetheless, in this complex global economy, it seems likely that we are going to experience some difficulty.
In writing this, I feel a bit like the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, but I would prefer to think of it more as our gift to society. Thank you in advance for your assistance on this very important issue.
(signed Erroll Davis)
I urge people not to anchor into either the 'bump in the road' or the 'end of the world' scenarios. There is a huge range of possibilities. Clearly, the problem is real. Clearly, the problem is serious. Clearly, there is a LOT you CAN do about it. But you WILL need to do YOUR part.
Regards,
Arnie
-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), January 16, 1999
Answers
Thank you Arnie
Thats the type of thing we need to see more of here at Time Bomb 2000. It gives everyone prudent enough to seek preparations the confidence and unity to not feel estranged for their sensible efforts.
-- TenBears (Apalled@WashingtonDC.com), January 16, 1999.
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That memo shows that there are courageous leaders in this country; unfortunately, none of them are in the White House.
-- Puddintame (Not@PennsylvaniaAve.gov), January 16, 1999.
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I am unbelievably impressed by this man. He truly understands what leadership is.
Mari Nahn (as I recall, the attorney who told the legislature that they were advising customers to consider generators) is high in the councils of Alliant also.
I envy all of you who are served by Alliant because you are not only getting straight information, those folks look to be head and shoulders above the crowd in terms of looking out for the public's interest.
In line with Puddintame's post, I wonder if we could get Mr. Davis to consider a try for the White House?
Thanks, Arnie for an encouraging post.
-- Hardliner (searcher@internet.com), January 16, 1999.
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