Missed opportunity to be part of power-restoration solution

During most of my working career, I had the good fortune to be part of designing, building and installing very complex communications systems. All these systems were new installations and never were major new capabilities and technology built on top of, and connected to, existing older technologies. The latter is a description of our existing electrical infrastructure and ensures that the task is very difficult — not just in Florida but nationwide.

I also had the good fortune to be mentored by several excellent bosses, one of whom told me that if I was not part of the solution, then I was part of the problem.

No large business is fault-free and it appears that one of FPL’s faults was describing their meter upgrade as a “smart grid” and that wondrous things would flow from that upgrade. The smart meters are merely one small component of a truly smart grid.

In the Sept. 13 editorial, you acknowledge that FPL does not share information regarding neighborhoods without power to prevent scammers and fraudulent activity. Since Florida is the epicenter of scammers and fraudulent activity, this seems like a valid reason.

My letter is to comment on the tone of your editorial. You had the opportunity to part of the solution, but chose to part of the problem by focusing on the negative aspects of FPL’s performance. Chris Lyons, Parkland