News (Media Awareness Project) - CN BC: Hydro Complicit, Says Langley MP |
Title: | CN BC: Hydro Complicit, Says Langley MP |
Published On: | 2005-03-05 |
Source: | Tri-City News (CN BC) |
Fetched On: | 2008-08-20 17:40:35 |
HYDRO COMPLICIT, SAYS LANGLEY MP
Langley MP Mark Warawa is accusing BC Hydro of turning a blind eye to
marijuana grow operations and making huge profits from them. Warawa raised
the issue of BC Hydro's complicity in light of a recent police operation in
Coquitlam in which 28 grow ops were busted in one townhouse complex.
"At what point does BC Hydro become part of the equation in these crimes?"
said Warawa, who is a member of the House of Commons Justice Committee. "I
am very concerned that BC Hydro has been reported as having upgraded the
townhouse complex services, transformers and wiring. Are they not an
accessory because hydro is a critical element to the success of an illegal
grow operation? I think this needs to be looked at very carefully because it
could be argued that Hydro has crossed the line."
Warawa said BC Hydro accepts rolls of cash from growing customers. "Hydro is
accepting huge payments in cash," he said. "The average home owner pays $120
for hydro and here they are being handed over $12,000 in cash with no
questions asked?" But Hydro said its hands are tied.
"BC Hydro is a Crown corporation governed by the Freedom of Information Act
and Privacy Act. In our opinion of that legislation, that doesn't allow us
to proactively report over-usage to the police," said BC Hydro spokesperson
Elisha Moreno. "If a residence has higher consumption and if they are paying
for it, it is none of our concern."
Moreno agrees with Warawa that growers often do pay thousands for hydro each
month. "It's a slippery slope. We are not the law and we don't want our
meter readers having to investigate grow ops," said Moreno. "We also want to
make sure customers feel their privacy is protected."
She used the example of someone who puts in a swimming pool and hot tub.
"Their consumption goes up. Do we report that?" she said. When asked if a
pool and hot tub consumed anywhere near the amount of a grow-op, she
answered, "No."
Warawa said BC Hydro is hiding behind the privacy laws while putting
neighbourhoods at risk.
"Hydro consumption at that rate, using unregulated equipment equals a
massive fire hazard," he said.
Moreno said concern for the public's safety is 'top of mind' and the
province is currently working to amend the act so Hydro can legally provide
some information. "But that's a ways away," she said.
Langley RCMP said BC Hydro could still notify the police about suspicious
activity at a home without breaching any privacy laws.
"They don't have to give us consumption rates, they can just tell us
something suspicious is going on," said police spokesperson Cpl. Dale Carr.
"It's not different than a neighbour calling us and telling us about seeing
something untoward."
Langley MP Mark Warawa is accusing BC Hydro of turning a blind eye to
marijuana grow operations and making huge profits from them. Warawa raised
the issue of BC Hydro's complicity in light of a recent police operation in
Coquitlam in which 28 grow ops were busted in one townhouse complex.
"At what point does BC Hydro become part of the equation in these crimes?"
said Warawa, who is a member of the House of Commons Justice Committee. "I
am very concerned that BC Hydro has been reported as having upgraded the
townhouse complex services, transformers and wiring. Are they not an
accessory because hydro is a critical element to the success of an illegal
grow operation? I think this needs to be looked at very carefully because it
could be argued that Hydro has crossed the line."
Warawa said BC Hydro accepts rolls of cash from growing customers. "Hydro is
accepting huge payments in cash," he said. "The average home owner pays $120
for hydro and here they are being handed over $12,000 in cash with no
questions asked?" But Hydro said its hands are tied.
"BC Hydro is a Crown corporation governed by the Freedom of Information Act
and Privacy Act. In our opinion of that legislation, that doesn't allow us
to proactively report over-usage to the police," said BC Hydro spokesperson
Elisha Moreno. "If a residence has higher consumption and if they are paying
for it, it is none of our concern."
Moreno agrees with Warawa that growers often do pay thousands for hydro each
month. "It's a slippery slope. We are not the law and we don't want our
meter readers having to investigate grow ops," said Moreno. "We also want to
make sure customers feel their privacy is protected."
She used the example of someone who puts in a swimming pool and hot tub.
"Their consumption goes up. Do we report that?" she said. When asked if a
pool and hot tub consumed anywhere near the amount of a grow-op, she
answered, "No."
Warawa said BC Hydro is hiding behind the privacy laws while putting
neighbourhoods at risk.
"Hydro consumption at that rate, using unregulated equipment equals a
massive fire hazard," he said.
Moreno said concern for the public's safety is 'top of mind' and the
province is currently working to amend the act so Hydro can legally provide
some information. "But that's a ways away," she said.
Langley RCMP said BC Hydro could still notify the police about suspicious
activity at a home without breaching any privacy laws.
"They don't have to give us consumption rates, they can just tell us
something suspicious is going on," said police spokesperson Cpl. Dale Carr.
"It's not different than a neighbour calling us and telling us about seeing
something untoward."
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