Electric News Releases - 1999

September 9, 1999

Virginia Power Y2K Drill A Success

RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia Power completed successfully Thursday a major test of its ability to respond to potential Year 2000 problems.

"This drill tested our back-up communications and other contingency plans," said Lyn McDermid, vice president-Information Technology. "We achieved 'ready' status for Y2K in July. Based on the results of the drill, we are confident that we have taken the appropriate steps to protect our customers from possible Y2K-related service interruptions."

The drill was conducted during Sept. 8-9 because Sept. 9 – the ninth day of the ninth month of 1999 – was considered a Year 2000 sensitive date by computer experts. The number 9999 is a code that has been used to provide instructions to some computer systems. Virginia Power did not experience any problems as a result of the date.

The company was one of the more than 200 U.S. electric utilities that participated in the drill, which was coordinated by the North American Electric Reliability Council. The drill was considered by the industry as a dress rehearsal for the Dec 31-Jan. 1 rollover.

More than 450 company employees participated in the drill. As part of the scenario, system operators at Virginia Power's Innsbrook Technical Center coordinated the company's response with crews stationed at 90 company facilities.

"We started more than six years ago to prepare for the Y2K rollover," said McDermid. "Drills such as this validate our efforts and allow us to fine-tune our plans. Our systems needed for sustained operations at the end of the year are Y2K ready."

Virginia Power is the principal subsidiary of Dominion Resources Inc. (NYSE: D), an energy company with headquarters in Richmond.

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