Electric utilities will test communication systems April 8 and 9. Plant and facilities operations undergo testing Sept. 8 and 9 when utilities roll the clock forward to work out kinks in the system. It's frustrating to see people on the Internet selling Y2K preparedness kits,'' said Gerry Cauley, manager of NERC's Year 2000 program. Any day an ice storm can take out service.'' Phone executives were equally confident. She said 81 percent of the company's equipment, computers and buildings are ready for 2000.
Repairs are complete on company switches.
Beginning next month, the company will sponsor special forums for 911 operators to ensure emergency equipment is ready for the date change. Meanwhile, Columbia Gas of Ohio, which serves 1.3 million consumers statewide, will finish testing its computer-controlled systems by June. Wallace Giffen, director of the utilities division of Ohio State University, said he'll plan carefully for January despite speakers' attempts to reassure customers. American Electric Power, Columbia Gas and other utilities deliver fuel to the sprawling campus.