POT POWER USE DRAWS CONCERN

Fire Chief Asks Council To Seek UBCM Support For Tighter
Regulations

By Al Irwin

An "alarming" six per cent of electrical power produced by B.C. Hydro
is used for growing marijuana.

That's a figure quoted by Langley Township Fire Chief Doug Wade in a
report to council.

Wade, in his report, sought council support for regulation of the sale
of hydroponic growing equipment.

He said the distribution of electrical components such as high
intensity light bulbs, ballasts, transformers and timers used in
illegal drug production contributes to electrical hazards in the Township.

And he asked that Langley Township councillors attending the Union of
B.C. Municipalities Conference in Vancouver next week support a
resolution dealing with regulating sales of hydronics equipment.

The Fire Chief's Association of B.C. and the City of Surrey are
seeking support for the resolution.

Wade's report says the need for regulating such equipment was
recognized in 2003 by the National Co-ordinating Committee Working
Group on Marijuana Grow Operations.

In 2005 the Lower Mainland Local Government Association asked for an
amendment to the Community Charter (formerly Municipal Act) to more
clearly define local government's authority on businessess that sell
goods which may endanger public health or safety.

A Public Safety Task Team, with representatives from the province,
local jurisdictions and private agencies, was formed in 2006 to focus
public safety risk associated with the production of illegal drugs.

The safety task team made some "alarming observations," according to Wade:

* B.C. Hydro sells 15,700 gigawatt hours of electricity to residential
customers, and estimates that six per cent of that energy is consumed
by marijuana grow operations;

* The cost of this energy is about $64 million annually, and much of
it is stolen;

* The annual grow op consumption of electrical power, projected out to
2020 represents a value of $600 million.

While the general public continues to try to conserve energy, it is
distressing to know that consumption of power for marijuana growing
continues to escalate, says Wade.

B.C. has 50 times the number of hydroponic equipment sales outlets as
Washington State, 30 times the number of such stores in Alberta.

These high wattage lights, 1000 watt ballasts, transformers and other
equipment are critical for the indoor production of marijuana, says
Wade.

If equipment sales were regulated, it would assist in ensuring safe
installation for legitimate purposes, in appropriate locations, and
perhaps slow the increasing number of grow ops, Wade said.

The resolution, if endorsed by the UBCM and accepted by Victoria,
would require that hydroponic equipment be sold only to licensed
retailers and that purchasers of the equipment have a valid electrical
permit prior to purchase.

The UBCM conference is slated for Sept. 24-28 in Vancouver.