I found this on Rick Cowles web site. It contains info about utilities in Minnesota.

http://www.dpsv.state.mn.us/docs/infocntr/year2000/survey.htm

-- Melinda Gierisch (gieriscm@hotmail.com), August 07, 1998

Answers

Melinda, this a scarey survey! It seems that almost half the companies did not respond. We are headed for some interesting times!

-- Dave (dave22@concentric.net), August 08, 1998.

Worse yet are the numbers from the companies that DID respond:

Fifty percent of the electrical and gas utilities have not yet set up a Year 2000 project tems to examine and solve the problem.

Only one third of either have a detailed plan of what they are going to do.

May be a long, cold winter.

Yes, very interesting times, Dave. Very interesting. Yup, walk along side railroad tracks with a lantern in the middle of the winter in order to manually switch trains. Hey, we might as well do that, because no one will be sitting home in a warm house watching TV.

Wonder how many grain cars will end up at coal fired electric utilities by mistake? Reminds me of the RR exec who said he was going to hang large destination signs on the sides of the cars and hope for the best. [They used to do it that way.]

-- Rocky Knolls (rknolls@hotmail.com), August 08, 1998.

This, along with many other stories is enough to convince me to prepare my family. I have just added lanterns to my list. Could be some great barter items. :)

-- Dave (dave22@concentric.net), August 08, 1998.

I'm knitting wool socks and buying big wrenches for the guys who will walk the pipelines turning the valves. We can do it!

-- Faith Weaver (faith-weaver@usa.net), August 08, 1998.

The sun revolves around the earth. The earth is flat. Disease is caused by bathing. Disease is cured by bleeding. Man will never fly. That Hitler fellow will not cause any trouble. Y2K will be a bump in the road.

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), August 08, 1998.

Faith, size 9-1/2; thanks! I have my own wrenches. We will do it! PJ

-- Perry Arnett (pjarnett@pdqnet.net), August 08, 1998.

Faith and Perry, great job. Faith, pleae knit faster.....Perry will need two pair. Can I send extra wrenches? A lantern or two?

-- Rocky Knolls (rknolls@hotmail.com), August 08, 1998.

SPECIAL ALERT: Quick vendor check reveals sheep not y2k-ready; claim wool was pulled over their eyes. Many appear to be leaving flock, wandering off into hills. Sheep-sheerer committee holding special meetings, promises more yarns soon. Am seeking alternate vendors.

-- Faith Weaver (faith-weaver@usa.net), August 09, 1998.

I guess we'd have to be considered the black sheep.

-- Dave (dave22@concentric.net), August 09, 1998.