Y2K Fear Could Panic Consumers

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ELECTRIC UTILITIES CONCERNED OVER FEAR OF Y2K

WASHINGTON, DC, November 17, 1999 (ENS) - An association of private electric

utilities in the U.S. is concerned that entertainment shows on the Y2K bug

" will fan flames of panic and unnecessary alarm. " The Edison Electric

Institute, which represents shareholder owned utilities that generate 75

percent of electricity in the U.S., has asked affiliate stations of NBC to

help allay public concern by covering local Y2K preparations. This Sunday,

NBC will broadcast a made for TV movie that depicts widespread chaos and

social unrest caused by the date change. " Regrettably, fear and opportunism

regarding the new Millennium are widespread and likely to grow as the New

Year approaches, " says the association’s vice president Brier in a

letter sent this week to the 100 largest NBC affiliates. " We are concerned

that the film, coming just before the conversion, will fan flames of panic

and unnecessary alarm. "

Recent network news programs, including NBC's Dateline and Today, have

referred to the " millions of people " who anticipate Apocalyptic events timed

to the Y2K issue. The FBI and other groups have voiced similar concerns. The

NBC movie is " clearly an entertainment vehicle, " but Brier warns that it

" may unintentionally reinforce the beliefs of many individuals that a

chaotic event is imminent " due to its depiction of societal disintegration.

Media have noted reports of stockpiling and arms purchases connected to Y2K.

" We anticipate a New Year like any other, " says Brier. " It would be a

serious mistake to assume that any outage over the holiday weekend is

related to the Millennium change. "