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Technology Stocks : Year 2000 (Y2K) Embedded Systems & Infrastructure Problem -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: John Mansfield who wrote (605)	1/20/1999 6:12:00 PM
From: Judge	Respond to of 618

From the Environmental Defense Fund: December 30, 1998 Y2K and the Environment: A Compendium of Potential Problems and Opportunities Many operations designed to protect the environment and human health might have Year 2000 (Y2K) date problems because of computer programming or computer chip-related failures.1 These failures could include emissions sampling and related laboratory analyses, pollution treatment systems, leak detection systems, safety alarms, safety relief devices, security systems (which could lock out critical personnel), and power and water surge detection systems. Fortunately, many of the most dangerous industrial processes are designed to shut-down safely if problems are detected, rather than to behave unpredictably. Experts expect, however, that small and medium-sized companies are likely to have a tougher time than large businesses in ensuring that their operations are Y2K-compliant. Potential Environmental/Safety Problems Potential Opportunities Potential Environmental/Safety Problems The accidental release of a dangerous chemical, caused by a power interruption and/or by multiple plant systems that are not "Y2K-compliant" A gas or oil pipeline accidental release due to pressure buildup caused by the failure of a computer to detect and address abnormal conditions Drinking water contamination caused by inaccurate laboratory results or filtration/disinfection system failure at a drinking water treatment plant Sewer or toilet backups or fish kills caused by a failure at a municipal or industrial wastewater treatment plant Garbage or industrial waste build-up from a waste disposal site failure (e.g., an incinerator that is not working properly) A safety or fire hazard from temporarily increased storage of flammable or reactive chemicals, either because of customer Y2K problems resulting in lack of pick-up, or indications of future supplier Y2K problems so extra materials are ordered to prevent a shortage Excess or inadequate flow in streams or rivers resulting in adverse ecological impacts including fish kills, caused by a dam's failure to ensure appropriate water flow An undetected leak to groundwater from a tank, pipeline, landfill, or an industrial pond caused by a failed computerized leak detection system ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Potential Opportunities Identifying and implementing solutions to Y2K problems can incorporate measures to enhance plant safety and environmental protection, including reducing the use of dangerous (including toxic, flammable, and reactive) chemicals and decreasing process pressures and temperatures Instead of merely fixing date-related software problems, many companies are upgrading their business software to increase efficiency in manufacturing, distribution, and accounting Installing solar energy reduces some of the uncertainty associated with power interruption. Since the nation's power grid is integrated and composed of many companies that may not be Y2K-compliant, it is considered by experts to be a weak link in prevention of industrial failures Shut-downs of potentially dangerous operations (after ensuring that enough employees are in place to address unforeseen contingencies and that start-up is unlikely to pose any problems) might be appropriate in certain instances, and can provide an opportunity for needed maintenance or infrastructure upgrades Information compiled by Lois N. Epstein, P.E., Senior Engineer, Environmental Defense Fund (December 1998). 1 Failures can occur when two dates are subtracted and negative time periods result when two-digits are used, e.g., 00 minus 98 equals -2, for 2000 minus 1998. Additionally, the year 2000, or 00, might be confused with 1900, which is also 00. Note that there are multiple dates in 1999 through 2001 that might experience Y2K failures (e.g., certain operations look one year ahead in time, fiscal year 2000 often begins during 1999, and particular dates have computer-related issues such as 9/9/99). You can access this at: edf.org

To: John Mansfield who wrote (605)	1/20/1999 6:13:00 PM
From: Judge	Respond to of 618

Also from the Environmental Defense Fund: December 30, 1998 The Year 2000 Could Be Hazardous To Your Health Environmental Defense Fund Calls On Facilities To Act Now To Prevent Environmental And Safety Problems Businesses and governments are running out of time to prevent Year 2000 (Y2K) failures that could result in environmental and safety hazards. Due to the Y2K computer chip and programming glitch, date-related failures may occur, potentially leading to unsafe drinking water, sewer backups and, most seriously, industrial plant accidents. But addressing the Y2K issue also presents opportunities to create a cleaner and safer world, according to the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), which today released, "Y2K and the Environment: A Compendium of Potential Problems and Opportunities." "Computer chips are embedded in many operations of modern life, including power plants, power lines, and drinking water and wastewater treatment plants. Some of these facilities may fail if businesses and governments do not identify potential Y2K problems and test their solutions," said EDF senior engineer Lois Epstein. "Drinking water may be contaminated because of incorrect automated lab tests and, more seriously, chemical plants or pipelines can have costly and fatal accidents from abnormally high pressures or temperatures." "On the positive side, facilities using dangerous chemicals can take advantage of their search for Y2K problems to implement measures that promote safety, including reducing use of dangerous chemicals, and reducing process pressures and temperatures," said Epstein. EDF recommends the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state and local permitting agencies consider making Y2K compliance a condition of environmental permit renewal for the near future. "Computer failures related to incorrect processing of dates are not only hypothetical," said Epstein. "Already a number of date-related failures have occurred. When computers failed to recognize 1996 as a leap year, some industrial damage occurred before the situation could be corrected. Fortunately, many of the most dangerous industrial processes are designed to shut-down safely if problems are detected, rather than to behave unpredictably, which could lead to an accidental release." EDF suggests that businesses and government become "Y2K-compliant" by making an inventory of all operations that might have date-related failures, assessing the impact of potential failures, identifying mission-critical priorities, and correcting the most serious problems. Organizations then should ensure compliance through testing, and by engaging auditing personnel to review compliance efforts. Finally, as appropriate, organizations should update their contingency plan and implement contingency plan training in case of a Y2K emergency. "Even the best efforts at Y2K-compliance might miss an important system, so large and small companies need to be sure that internal and local emergency responders are ready to address any date-related failures that could impact safety," said Epstein. The Environmental Defense Fund, a leading national, NY-based nonprofit organization, represents 300,000 members. EDF links science, economics, and law to create innovative, equitable, and economically viable solutions to today's environmental problems. You can also access this at: edf.org