Utilities Pass Y2K Test with Flying Colors

Strategic Insights -

As the clock struck midnight, marking the start of 2000, power companies in the Lehigh Valley reported no significant disruptions to electricity supply, allaying fears of the so-called year 2000 computer bug. Despite widespread anticipation and apprehension, the transition was a "smooth" one, according to utility officials. PP&L Inc., GPU Energy, and Peco Energy all reported no power failures related to the Y2K issue, with PP&L's executive vice president Frank Long praising his employees' hard work in ensuring a seamless transition.

Key Takeaways:

  • PP&L Inc. reported no power failures related to Y2K, with only scattered outages unrelated to the issue, totaling about 300 customers.
  • GPU Energy spent $43 million on Y2K preparations, drafting nearly 800 contingency plans and staffing 900 employees on duty Friday night.
  • Peco Energy spent $50 million on Y2K testing and planning over three years, with a workforce of 900 employees on duty Friday night.
  • PP&L tested 6,700 computer programs to ensure Y2K compliance, with 8 million lines of code corrected, and over 140,000 hours worked on the project.

Statistics:

  • $106.5 million: Total cost of preparing for Y2K problems for the three local power companies.
  • $13.5 million: Estimated Y2K costs for PP&L.
  • $43 million: Y2K preparations costs for GPU Energy.
  • $50 million: Y2K testing and planning costs for Peco Energy over three years.
  • 140,000+ hours: Total hours worked on Y2K project by PP&L employees.
  • 6,700: Number of computer programs tested by PP&L for Y2K compliance.
  • 15 million: Total lines of code combed through by PP&L.
  • 8 million: Number of code lines corrected by PP&L.
  • 550: Number of personnel on duty at PP&L on Friday night.
  • 900: Total number of employees on duty at Peco Energy and GPU Energy on Friday night.

Sources:

  • The Morning Call, "Is your refrigerator running?"; "Utilities pass Y2K test with flying colors"
  • PP&L Inc. spokesperson Frank Long
  • GPU Energy spokesperson Kerry McGuinness
  • Peco Energy spokesperson Vernice Black
  • Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
  • U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission