OCC ISSUES Y2K UPDATE ON UTILITY READINESS

(OKLAHOMA CITY)-The Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) has compiled a Y2K update on regulated utilities in Oklahoma. Larry Schroeder, Deputy Director of the Public Utilities Division, said the review of utility filings shows the larger companies serving most of Oklahoma’s customers are well on their way to being Y2K ready.

Schroeder said several of the larger utilities plan to be Y2K ready by mid-year. The OCC requested all regulated utility companies to file quarterly status reports no later than February 22 for the quarter ending December 31, 1998. Companies were also asked to provide the Commission with a detailed description of their Y2K contingency plans by July 1.

The quarterly reports show Y2K readiness among Oklahoma’s major utility services of telephone, natural gas and electricity are moving toward full compliance. Southwestern Bell serves about 83 percent of the state’s local phone customers and expects to be Y2K ready by the end of June. Public Service Company and Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company together serve about 66 percent of the state’s electric customers. Both PSO and OG&E indicate they will be Y2K ready by June 30. Oklahoma Natural Gas Company serves about 81 percent of all the state’s gas customers. ONG reports it has a contingency plan and is 90 percent ready.

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