Wood stove sales heating up in North Idaho because of Y2K

MSNBC/January 7, 1999
By Beverly Carr

Hayden Lake, ID -- Saying that business is hot at Oakenshield Stove and Chimney is an understatement.

The small Hayden Lake wood stove dealer is selling so much merchandise from its showroom and its internet site that the owners need more space.

The reason? Customers believe wood will be the only heat available when the new millennium begins. “I’m not surprised at all. People ought to be concerned, and there is a certain amount of concern out there. People want to be prepared for what happens if anything does happen,” says dealer Scott Dodson.

Dodson and others believe wood heat is the best bet, because existing computers will crash on January 1, 2000, which means the electricity will disappear.

Power companies, though, know the fears and are preparing. Computer expert Art Malin is following a master plan he designed to keep Kootenai Electric Co-op up and running. Still, Malin believes it’s better to be safe than sorry: “You can never be 100 percent sure. Everything has to be tested interactively, which you really can’t do until that day comes, he says.

To see more documents/articles regarding this group/organization/subject click here.