September - October 2001

Reader Feedback: 
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On E-Voting (February 2001)

The continuing and increasing attacks on the Internet and through e-mail by viruses, worms, etc. and the breaking of the many protection schemes for e-books, DVDs and other distribution mechanisms clearly demonstrate that voting via the Internet is insecure and subject to fraud and interference. We must continue providing actual polling places and, optionally, mail voting. Of course better equipment is needed.

I am wary of all claims that new techniques for personal identification are secure. The history of cryptography is replete with claims for the security of new methods, methods that soon are defeated.

— George Sugar
IEEE Life Member
Boulder, Colo.

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On Establishing an Electric Reliability Organization…(August - September 2001)

I think the establishment of an Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) would be an additional level of bureaucracy at the federal level that is not needed. There are two main components to the reliability equation in the electric utility industry: the transmission system and the distribution system. I agree with Bruce Radford that an Independent System Operator (ISO) is best suited to enforce reliability standards for a transmission system. The various state utility commissions are presently enforcing reliability standards for distribution systems. Many utilities are completing corporate separation plans to separate the generation, transmission, and distribution organizations into stand-alone companies. The creation of an ERO may blur that separation between the companies.

— Steven L. Root, P.E.
Senior Member
Tiffin, Ohio

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I agree with the view that NERC/NAERO as constituted cannot do the reliability job. I do not believe we need federal legislation to achieve reliability. We need coordinated technical and institutional means for this purpose.

Technical means have been used in the past and new technical means can be developed. One good possibility is the separation of the existing synchronous areas into smaller areas interconnected by controllable DC lines. (See my book published by the IEEE on the history of transmission for other past examples.)

The required institutional means are contracts negotiated at arms length between the parties. These would specify the standards to be met, the monitoring procedures and the penalties for non-compliance. This would allow each region of the country to develop its own standards and procedures.

Contracts and technology are far better than laws. They can meet local needs and evolve and change as needed.

— Jack Casazza
IEEE Life Fellow
Springfield, Va.

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