ELECTRICAL BILLING WILL SPOT GROW-OPS

The provincial legislature has passed a law requiring electrical
companies to forward billing information to municipalities.

Bill 25 is in response to a proposal brought forward by Surrey Fire
Chief Len Garis in an attempt to find new ways to shut down marijuana
grow operations.

The bill allows municipalities to determine which homes are using
exorbitant amounts of electricity, an indication of a grow operation.
There are at least 2,000 homes in Surrey with marijuana plantations.

For the last year, Garis has operated the Electrical Fire Safety
Initiative (EFSI), in an attempt to hammer down that number.

Under EFSI, fire crews with municipal electrical inspectors issue
inspection notices on homes suspected of having grow operations. If
the homeowner doesn't allow an inspection within 48 hours, the power
is cut off.

Since the program started last year, city crews have acted on more
than 1,000 tips.

After Bill 25 is passed, electrical companies will give the city two
years of electrical bills so a spike in activity can be isolated.