In separate announcements, Southern Company and PacifiCorptouted their readiness for the year 2000. Both said utilitysubsidiaries are testing systems by setting their clocks forward toreplicate conditions in a year 2000 environment. Generation,transmission and distribution systems are being tested by thecompanies.

“These are the systems that affect all stages of electricproduction from generation to delivery at the point of service foreach of our customers,” said David Register, year 2000 projectmanager for PacifiCorp. “Making the transition now will help ourcustomers and the public to have the same confidence we have aboutthe extent and reliability of our preparations.”

“Our comprehensive program includes setting clocks forward andallowing the devices to roll through key transition dates,” saidPaul DeNicola, CEO of Southern Company Services and the year 2000steering committee chair for Southern Company. “We currently havesome systems operating in the year 2000, and we have notexperienced problems that would interrupt service.”

©Copyright 1999 Intelligence Press, Inc. All rightsreserved. The preceding news report may not be republished orredistributed in whole or in part without prior written consent ofIntelligence Press, Inc.