Pubdate: Fri, 10 Jun 2005
Source: Similkameen Spotlight (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Similkameen Spotlight
Contact:  http://www.similkameenspotlight.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3484
Author: John Hall, President, PLP

A QUESTION FOR PLP

Grow-ops are at what we at PLP consider epidemic proportions and our social 
system generally does not seem to be able to cope with this problem. We are 
responding to several RCMP requests every week for power disconnections, 
etc. This does not happen without creating costs for wages and equipment 
for PLP that are not recoverable directly from the perpetrators or the RCMP.

All these extra costs do escalate PLP's operating costs overall and in that 
way do affect the rates for electricity. It usually takes a year or more 
for these costs to actually filter into the actual rate tariff structure.

To date, PLP has never made application to the BC Utilities Commission 
specifically to recover these costs caused by illegal drug activities on 
our system. In the last two years the local economy has expanded enough and 
has increased electricity sales to a level that has offset the extra costs 
and therefore have nullified most of the need for rate increases. That 
said, the profits from our expanding economy should not be used to pay for 
illegal power theft costs which is the case at this time.

The whole community is responsible for cooperating with the RCMP to help 
catch those amongst us who choose to grow and deal in illegal drugs. It is 
not just the electricity rates that are affected by these illegal 
activities but rather our whole social structure is facing high cost 
escalation as the result.

The actual answer to your direct question "are our rates going up due to 
stolen electricity from Grow-ops" is 'Yes, the electricity rates are going 
up due to 'stolen power' but there are other cost pressures as well'.

Thanks for asking.

John Hall, President, PLP
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom