Press Release

    HARRISBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania’s major utilities have performed well during on-site Y2K readiness tests being observed and conducted this summer by the state Public Utility Commission (PUC). Based on these results, the PUC anticipates that any disruptions in customer service would be minor.

    "We’re extremely pleased with the cooperation of the utilities and how they have performed so far," said Dave Newcomer, Y2K project leader for the PUC. "We have observed or participated in the testing of a variety of mission-critical components of utility plant, equipment and facilities to make sure vital operations continue to function under the Y2K scenario."

    The year 2000 problem refers to the possibility that computers may be unable to process the date change from Dec. 31, 1999, to Jan. 1, 2000. Because computers may recognize only the last two digits in a year, they may shut down or not work properly with 00 as a year. Utilities are also testing the dates Sept. 9, 1999, and Feb. 29, 2000, for possible problems.

    The PUC to date has conducted 30 of 45 scheduled on-site visits to observe or participate in the testing of mission-critical systems for 14 large electric, gas, water and telephone utilities throughout the state. Mission-critical systems are those needed to provide safe, reliable service to customers. For example, computer equipment that controls the flow of water from pumps to pipes would be considered mission-critical, but a billing system would not.

    The 14 utilities include PP&L, Penn Power, Allegheny Power, Duquesne Light, PECO, GPU’s Penelec and Met-Ed subsidiaries, UGI Utilities, Columbia Gas, Equitable Gas, Pennsylvania-American Water, Philadelphia Suburban Water, Bell Atlantic and GTE North.

    Tests have been conducted on a representative sample of mission-critical electric components such as programmable logic controllers at transmission and distribution substations, boiler controls on coal-fired plants, energy management systems for power control and distribution, and safety and radiation monitoring systems at nuclear plants. For gas and water utilities, mission-critical components such as SCADA systems, which gather and process information from remote field locations, and leak detection and tracking systems have been tested.

    The PUC has also conducted tests at nuclear sites in conjunction with the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. The sites include Susquehanna in Berwick, Beaver Valley in Pittsburgh, Peach Bottom in King of Prussia, and Three Mile Island in Middletown.

    The PUC’s participation in the utility tests is part of a comprehensive effort to ensure that customers will continue to have electricity, water, heat and telephone service when the New Year arrives.

    Utilities were required to provide detailed accounts of their Y2K plans to the PUC. They were also required to be Y2K compliant by March 31, or have detailed contingency plans in place to ensure uninterrupted utility service. This means that all mission-critical systems had to be upgraded, repaired, or replaced so that they would work during the critical year 2000 transition.

    "In April, the PUC released a comprehensive report indicating that the majority of utilities had upgraded their mission-critical systems and were Y2K ready," said Newcomer. "Nevertheless, we assigned technical staff to conduct a program of on-site testing of mission-critical systems to provider assurance that the utilities compliance efforts were continuing on a timely basis."

    Although the PUC expects to complete its initial Y2K oversight efforts for the 14 large utilities by June 30, Newcomer said the testing program would continue through the remainder of the year for other large utilities.

    The PUC also hired an independent third party expert to verify that the information supplied by utilities in the Y2K investigation was accurate. The consultant reviewed the utilities’ Y2K documentation and contingency plans and conducted on-site interviews with Y2K managers and staff.

    Newcomer also advised consumers not to panic over the Y2K problem. "There has been a lot of sensationalism surrounding this problem," he said. "However, given the extensive measures taken by the utilities, the PUC and other organizations, the public should feel confident that safe, reliable utility service will continue to be delivered into the year 2000."