Utilities Get Low Marks on Easing Public’s Y2K Fears

SACRAMENTO —  A state report issued Wednesday said cities, counties and other government agencies are mostly on target with efforts to fix the Y2K problem, although utilities were criticized for failing to reassure the public that power and telephone service will be available, as usual, Jan. 1, 2000.

“Everyone is edgy because they’re not sure they can rely on phone and electric power,” said Mike Jacob, chief consultant to the Assembly Committee on Information Technology, which issued the report.

Public utilities have generally relied on inserts in bills to advise the public of their progress on preparing for the year 2000, which is not sufficient to allay concerns, the report said.

The Y2K problem stems from computers’ inability to register the turn of the century in its programs. Avoiding the breakdown of key computer systems requires extensive checking and reprogramming to make sure the systems don’t break down Jan. 1, 2000.

The committee conducted seven hearings around the state this year to assess the progress of government agencies in preparing for Y2K.

“Overall, they are doing extremely well,” said Assemblyman John Dutra (D-Fremont), chairman of the committee. “If people had attended those hearings, they would be comforted.

“That doesn’t mean to suggest there are no problems,” he added.

In the report, California cities were given a B+ in Y2K preparedness. Counties and utilities earned a B, while transportation lagged with a C+. Public safety agencies headed the group, with an A.

The grades were based on preparedness and communicating that readiness to the public.

Although the report gives high marks for preparing internal computer systems, agencies were urged to look beyond their own computers to make sure they will be able to hook up electronically with vendors and other agencies.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was named in the report as lagging behind in making sure its computers will be able to connect with others next year.

“This is not accurate,” said W.C. Byrd, the DWP’s Y2K communications director. “All our mission critical systems to deliver water and power to our customers are Y2K-ready.”

Byrd said the DWP could do nothing about those agencies and businesses that haven’t fixed their end of the problem.

Los Angeles County’s Y2K expert, Jon W. Fullinwider, also took issue with the criticism.

The county is 98% ready for the year 2000, Fullinwider said, with the only remaining problems due to delays by state agencies.

“We have been trying to work with the state for 18 months to get them to identify their interface criteria,” Fullinwider said. “For the most part, they miss their deadlines. We’ve been waiting for the state to tell us what to do.”