Y2K bug a worry for
isle refineries

Associated Press

Hawaii's two oil refineries say their computers will be ready for the year 2000, but noted that their services could be interrupted Jan. 1 if their suppliers haven't properly dealt with Y2K problems.

Representatives of Chev-ron and Tesoro refineries told state legislators yesterday that they are spending millions of dollars to make their computers ready for the year 2000. But they said their operations could still be affected if equipment vendors and suppliers were not prepared.

Lawmakers urged the refineries to maximize their storage in case they run into Y2K problems with suppliers. The lawmakers want to make sure Hawaii drivers don't face long lines at gas pumps as they did during the oil crisis of the 1970s.

Chevron said it already has contingency plans to make sure every storage tank is as full as possible.

The company also said it would be able to pump gasoline in event of a power failure because it has generators at 25 of its service stations.

The Chevron and Tesoro representatives told legislators they were unable to say if Hawaii's highest-in-the-nation gas prices would increase to cover the Y2K preparation costs.