http://www.cinergy.com/News/default_...sp?news_id=420

[BPL comes to Cincinatti, with quite a new twist in facts]

Let me quote the relevant sections:

***
BPL technology can enable a variety of enhanced power distribution
applications, including:

* Automated outage detection and restoration confirmation
* Remote monitoring and operation of switches and transformers
* Remote capability to connect and disconnect electric service
* More efficient demand-side management programs
* Automated meter reading
***

All of this by means of TCP/IP.

For those not in the IT-Security business: With these services the power
companies are in fact handing over control over the power grid to anyone
with some understanding of network technology.

BPL is really bad for ham radio, but remote controlling critical
infrastructures over public networks is worse.

I mean *really* worse.

Someone should beat *some* sense into these people.

Peter Lemken
DF5JT
Berlin

--
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in
a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly
used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow, what a ride!'"