GROW-OP CAMPAIGN POWERS UP

BC Hydro and the Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General
announced todayBC Hydro is partnering with the British Columbia Crime
Stoppers Association to encourage people to report suspected marijuana
grow operations.

BC Hydro's energy diversion investigators will now be able to receive
addresses of suspected grow-ops reported to the Crime Stoppers' Tip
Line. This new information will assist the investigators in confirming
energy thefts and recovering funds. Where evidence of thefts is found,
BC Hydro lays complaints with law enforcement agencies, which in turn
obtain search warrants and recommend charging suspects.

"We believe that the partnership will increase identification of
electricity theft and ultimately assist police in shutting down
grow-ops in B.C.," said Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor
General John Les. "Our government is working to put a stop to
marijuana grow-ops by improving links between BC Hydro, local
governments, and safety and law enforcement agencies."

"BC Hydro takes the issue of energy diversion very seriously," said
Bob Elton, BC Hydro's president and CEO. "Energy diversions and
marijuana grow-ops create safety risks for BC Hydro employees, first
responders and the public. Illegitimate consumption of electricity by
marijuana grow-ops is also a waste of electricity and an affront to
the efforts of legitimate customers to conserve."

Crime Stoppers is a not-for-profit community-based program involving
the efforts of the community, the media and the police in the fight
against crime.

"The most important aspect of Crime Stoppers is the ability of callers
to provide tips anonymously," said Shirley Stocker, President of the
British Columbia Crime Stoppers Advisory Board. "Callers to Crime
Stoppers do not have to give their name or telephone number. They do
not have to testify in court. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash
reward upon an arrest and charge. This partnership will provide those
people who are reluctant to get involved a trusted and private way to
join the fight against grow-ops."

Anyone who knows of a suspected marijuana grow operation can call the
Crime Stoppers tip line from anywhere in British Columbia.

The organization will then refer those tips to the police and advise
BC Hydro of the addresses.