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