The conference was sponsored by the Public Forum Institute and chaired by Congressman Bob Clement. The most dire predictions were those of Michael Hyatt, author, programmer, and consultant. The failure of one company could have a domino effect on the others. Only two of the 10 largest electric utilities in the country have completed the first of three steps in the Y2K repair process and none has a contingency plan, according to a recent Senate survey.
Telecommunication companies are, of course, completely computer dependent.
The larger companies are making progress, though some of the smaller ones are lagging behind. K compliant, Hyatt said. A Senate survey of the nation's leading transportation providers showed that only one-third had completed phase one of the three steps to Y2K readiness, none had finished contingency plans, and only half were working on contingency plans. Some water treatment utilities are aware of the problem and are working on it. However, Hyatt said most are still unaware of the problem and are doing nothing.