Question, based on the survey information provided below, should I buy... A)a generator B)solar generating system C)850W Bergy wind turbine with 60ft. tower D)Hydro electric system E)wood stove F)food, water supplies for my family for 72 hours G)2 cords of wood, food & water supplies for my family for a month H)6 cords of wood, a gun and ammo, food & water supplies for my family for six months, I)a 5 acre farm 2 hours away from any major population center ,a 1324 sq. ft. modular home, 10 cords of wood, 3 1/2ft cross cut saw, guns and lots of ammo, food & water supplies for my family for a year, lots of non hybrid seeds, 1000 gallons of propane, copy of The Guide to Country Living, a copy of Basic Butchering, Grain Mill, a copy of Making the Best of Basics K)None of the Above L)A,E and G M)A,B,C,D and H N)A,B,C,D,E and I O)F only P)I only From the November NERC Assessment Surveys January's is pretty much the same Question 8. List the greatest obstacles your organization faces in achieving Y2K readiness by December 31, 1999? - potential impact to power grid from external entities Simulating exact conditions for data - Testing all occurrences Replacement of existing SCADA | EMS system by 6/99 Testing embedded processors Supply chain preparedness The SCADA/AGC Energy Management System No information on what others connected to the GRID others are doing. The availability of technical resources for the assessment & testing of embedded systems. Lack of timely and accurate vendor technical support Direct Access in our state FINDING THE UNKNOWN OR UNTHINKABLE FAILURE AREA Human Resources Resources to respond to external inquiries on agencies Y2K readiness Cooperation of vendors Resources and time to perform testing, remediation, and contingency planning Vendor responsiveness. Ability to correctly identify all devices which may contain internal clock mechanisms, butr which are not obvious Internal competition for key personnel to support project activities Replacing the non-Y2K compliant "net" system Making the TCP/IP wide area network and Internet connection Y2K Y2K readiness may not be achievable from external partners. i.e. Teleprotection tones carried by the local telephone company is beyond our control. Depenency on third party vendor products or service availability. TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDERS NOT BEING COMPLIANT. PROGRAM CODE REMEDIATED BY CONTRACTOR NOT OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY. Difficulty in testing embedded systems. Major challenges remain in 3 primary areas: 1) maintaining sufficient resources (in-house, contractor and vendor) to complete Y2K tasks; 2) scheduling integrated testing for many embedded systems, taking into account planned outages and operational needs; and 3) completing contingency planning for the variety of scenarios which might occur, including testing of such plans. Integrated testing of systems may be difficult if not impossible on actual production systems. The interface and verification of readiness between EMS and Telecommunications is probably the most critical area. Availability of critical vendors for critical control systems, time Reliability of external vendor assessments. Accurately identifying all subsystems that may not be Y2K compliant. The plant was commissioned in 1997. We do not expect any major obstacles, other than the office software will continue to be up graded as the software comes available. However, this will not impact the operation of the plant. COORDINATION AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION WITH MAJOR CUSTOMERS/UTILITY PARTNERS, EVALUATION OF SUPPLY CHAIN Our greatest obstacle is having the right resources available to perform Y2K work. This includes resources both inside and outside the company. We consider the greatest risk to be the failure of external vendors, and neighboring utilities. Company has Vendors suppling fixes by required dates comprehensive plans to assess readiness status and develop contingency options. Integrated Testing on all critical systems Unavailability of Human resources and time to work on Y2K project. Key suppliers and time constraints. Numerous requests for Y2k data from PUCs etc., all in different formats. Time and Money None, we shall be ready by 30 December 1999 *Americans love a winner* Upgrade SCADA hardware and software to most current systems. The ability to get an absolute inventory of all imbedded microchips. The biggest challenge we face is getting information from our critical vendors and suppliers. Another concern is hether this information is correct. If information comes in late, will we have enough time to remediate, if necessary. We are also having difficulty scheduling outside vendors due to their enormous workload. Availability of subject-matter experts to participate in and evaluate Y2K business verification testing. Sharing of information and liabilities Vendor readiness Complexity of integration testing Staffing, volume of items to check, reluctance of vendors & suppliers to share information about their readiness, ability to make fixes to generating plants during scheduled outages, and conflicts of Y2K with other priorities. Keeping people focused on Y2K while transitioning into deregulation Availability of testing information from digital systems vendors. Retaining knowledgeable staff to remediate and test systems. Time and testing which requires the integration of several independent vendors' activities Performance of other entities for generation, transmission, dispatching and load control, distribution, and billing Insure the reliability of outside telecommunications providers infrastructure Ensuring Y2k readiness of critical vendors and service providers so critical services and supply chains will not be interrupted due to Y2k problems. Difficulty in finding time to do the Y2k tasks. Difficutlty in finding information on embedded processors. Difficulty in developing a corporate wide database to be used for activities Test time on production systems. Next generation outage not scheduled until January 1999. Deleivery of several software updates from suppliers. Filling open Engineering positions. *Wha, people quitting and heading for the hills?* Testing of 7/24 systems CHECK-OUT OF Y2K READY DCS & EMS SYSTEMS STANDARDIZED TEST PROCEDURE FOR GENERATING PLANTS TO VERIFY CONTROL SYSTEMS. Budget. No major obstacles to achieving y2k readiness by 12/31/99. June/30/99 is achievable but demands top priority on a daily basis. Balancing priorities is the project management challenge. *Substitute nightmare* Equipment availability for testing Y2K readiness activities, including inventory, assessment, remediation, testing and planning, will continue through the century date turnover. This reflects our belief that no Y2K effort can be finished until there is certainty that Y2K readiness has been achieved. None expected Plans are not prepared as they will have little impact on operation of powerhouse. Only the SCADA system needs upgrading for Y2K and a contract has been awarded Difficulty of testing embedded systems Mechanics of sharing data and solutions Implementing test procedures online without risk to loss of units. a) Getting specific information from some vendors, with restrictions on testing some types of equipment. b) Outage time for remediation and testing. c) Difficulty of performing end-to-end testing on production equipment, and with outside organizations. Duplication of surveys by key organizations within utility industry, ie. EPRI, EEI, NERC, AGA, NUSMEG etc. a) Reluctance of vendors and others to provide full disclosure on components (liability concerns) b) Testing components that are no longer supported by defunct vendors Converstion time for existing information technology systems We depend upon external parties including customers, suppliers, business partners, government agencies, and financial institutions to reliably deliver our products and services. To the extent that any of these parties experience Year 2000 problems in their systems, the demand for and the reliability of our services may be adversely affected. Assessing and getting comfortable with the readiness of a multitude of telecommunications operators (the mom and pop shops)used to provide RTU via modems all across our 3 state SCADA system. Contingency planning will be the most difficult obstacle we will face. Due to the nature of the electric interconnection grid and our dependence on it, alternative delivery plans will be difficult to establish. Responsiveness from major vendors on control systems for upgrades, test procedures, test results, and future. Awaiting solutions from system manufacturers. If they do not come through with corrective action and upgrades, there may not be sufficient time or availability of new equipment to meet the year end. Testing----production schedules make time allowance for testing very limited / difficult. Concern that should test failed, unable to restart. We depend upon external parties including customers, suppliers, business partners, government agencies, and financial institutions to reliably deliver our products and services. To the extent that any of these parties experience Year 2000 problems in their systems, the demand for and the reliability of our services may be adversely affected.

Question 9. Please detail any Y2K Readiness concerns that you feel are beyond your organization's control and for which you lack external support. Coordinating grid interfaces such as other generator, interties, major users - long procurement lead time items - major suppliers not being ready Insuring that other companies that supply us power, software and equipment will live up to promises, expectations. Outside entities Telecommunications; SCADA communications data circuits; Transmission availability. We are interconnected to "the GRID" and we import and export energy at times. Should "The GRID" fail, we will likely also fail unless it just happens that our loads and internal generation match. *Keep your chin up ol man* The Year 2000 readiness of the telecommunications industry. The Year 2000 readiness of Non-Utility Generators (NUGs). Y2K readiness of critical suppliers. (e.g.-fuel) While we are reviewing the readiness of our key vendors and partners, we cannot assess the effect of non-compliance by systems or parties outside of our direct control. Cooperation among utilities Disclosure, cooperation from vendors External third parties (e.g. communication) WE DO NOT OWN OR MAN THE POWER PLANTS. THESE ARE UNDER THE CORPS JURISDICTIONbTHEREFORE WE DO NOT HAVE THE FINAL AUTHORITY, THE CORPS DOES. WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER AND ARE COORDINATING THIS PROGRAM Telecommunication carriers Other utilities and organizations that interface with Agency Skilled resources in some critical areas. Telecommunications supplier readiness Vendor readiness - ability to supply upgrades on our schedule Component vendor ability to supply upgrades or replacement components in time for the millennium Supply chain readiness to provide products and services required in the generation of electricity By all indications Y2K failures in embedded systems have not led to a complete primary functional failure. If we find some of these types of failures, the time to remediate may not be available and high risk mitigation plans or work arounds will have to be used. Control of inter-connection of power grid. We are subject to impact by overall grid reliability. POWER AVAILABILITY TO ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION GRID. TELECOMMUNICATION: NETORK U.S. West communications circuit testing. Suppliers, allies, customer systems being "certified", and true testing being nearly impossible. As a wholesale power supplier that does not own any transmission facilities, or operate generation or control area, we are dependent on other utilities to become Y2K ready. The accurate assessment of the Year 2000 readiness of vendors, suppliers, and business partners is viewed as critical to success and dependent on the cooperation of these second and third party entities. Accuracy and reliability of the tranmission grid Y2K assessment, including the adjacent control areas, generating facilities, and customer loads subject to Y2K. The majority of the power we distribute is purchased from other generation facilities. We have no control over the y2k prepardness of these entities Ensuring the readiness of the telecommunications providers. Other Agency Computers & Databases as well as Vendor Software Phone systems for remote operations, transmission capabilities of others Readiness of telecommunications providers, fuel suppliers, neighboring utilities, and large industrial customers. We are generally concerned with the readiness of telecommunications companies and general lack of national coordination and national contigency planning in the communications industry. We are concerned with some of the issues within the supply chain. We are going through a second phase of information gathering from our direct suppliers. However, we have greater concerns with the second or third degree of separation with these suppliers and their connectedness with suppliers from other countries who do not have as aggressive Y2K plans. Telephone end-to-end integration testing and certifying Local Exchange Carriers (local phone companies). Sharing of information and liabilities Integration testing of electrical grid and telecom systems The preparation by other utilities, vendors and suppliers. While every effort is being made to ensure our electrical system and business functions will not be disrupted on January 1, 2000, in some cases it is dependent upon third parties, whose performance could affect us. - Legal exposure of disclosing information like this - Timely responses by vendors / suppliers Regional based power system studies/contigency plans. Status of neighboring utilities, co-ops, and impact on electric grid. Y2k readiness of significant external dependencies, including telecommunications, rail transport, and gas production and transportation. Reliability of external gas, power,coal and fuel oil suppliers and their transportation providers. Reliability of Broker Organization's trading/accounting systems. Media hype. *I've got reporters all over the place, can't get anything done!* Availability of year 2000 ready devices. Major supplier of radio systems is not cooperating with their customers' need for data on what subsystems are compliant and which aren't. A pre-requisite to supplying that data and/or upgrades is for the customer to complete a comprehensive audit of all components down to lowest level of detail, or contract them to do it. Relationship with transmission service provider. Outside power sources. Stability of grid. *Come on now....stay positive* a) Reliance on outside providers, especially telecommunications and transportation of fuel supply. b) Expertise to assess and remediate systems that have limited vendor support in the marketplace. PROOF THAT TELCOMMUNICATIONS PROVISERS HAVE DONE COMPREHENSIVE Y2K TESTING OF 'DATA SERVICES' *Market incentives here are for telling the truth, are they not?* Company - Company and ISO testing of Y2K Readiness. Quantitative Risk Analysis of Bulk Power System for Y2K. Assessing and getting comfortable with Telecommunications readinesss. We believe this is an industry-wide concern. It will likely be difficult to certify the compliance of grid connections by various PJM and Allegheny Power members who are our major power suppliers. Major controls systems manufacturer have as yet to supply the needed information to ensure compatibility or corrective action required. They have been on notice since early 1998.

I thank you all in advance for your help in regards to this matter.

-- MarktheFart (quke@ix.netcom.com), March 16, 1999

Answers

Ain't cut and paste wonderful?

-- just sunshine (lurkinghere@home.com), March 16, 1999.

Buy formatting lessons.

-- 157 (78@79._), March 16, 1999.

Are you a disgruntled Postal Worker?

-- backdoor (areyou@peace.here?), March 16, 1999.

Sorry, Mark. No matter how valuable your post may be, I just ain't gonna read it...

-- not enough time (in@day.forthis), March 16, 1999.

Er, could you repeat the question?

-- Margaret (huh@what.com), March 16, 1999.

FART, the greatest risk to you and your family is your access to a computer.

-- analysis (DocMortar@think.com), March 16, 1999.

If you have all this information is the answer not self evident. Prepare for self and family first. Prepare of job and community next. Help others prepare.

-- Y2K AOK.lou (louie.miotti@sait.ab.ca), March 16, 1999.

Forget the vowel, can I buy a question mark?

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), March 16, 1999.

May I please buy a deletion for $200 ?

rm -r

-- rm -r (not@really.net), March 16, 1999.

And blank lines cost??? We now have a LOT of surplus ones not used above so the price probably just went down.

CR

-- Chuck, a night driver (reinzoo@en.com), March 16, 1999.

Mark, don't mind these (very intelligent) clowns. Try breaking this into a few smaller, manageable parts. <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), March 16, 1999.

good question, probably solar panels and wood, (assuming you feel you can master the art of burning wood without burning your neighborhood down too) At least these dont have any moving parts.

-- country-living challenged (pioneer@oldtimer.com), March 16, 1999.

Maybe.

-- LP (soldog@hotmail.com), March 16, 1999.

After every second or third sentence, hit [ENTER] twice. It's not hard to do, and it makes all the difference between unreadable and readable.

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), March 17, 1999.