WHITBY HYDRO SAYS NEW SYSTEM WILL PUT AN END TO ELECTRICITY THEFTS

WHITBY - Prevention of hydro theft from marijuana grow homes may be
revolutionizing energy technology in Whitby.

With about $500,000 of theft associated with marijuana grow houses over the
past year in town, Whitby Hydro Electric Corporation, in partnership with
Stratacon Inc. of Vaughan, has developed a new metering system eliminating
meters on the sides of residential homes. A new digital system, measuring
use at the transformer, will put an end to hydro theft according to Whitby
Hydro representatives. Other benefits will include energy conservation and
the ability to purchase energy by an hourly rate.

"Metering at the transformer eliminates the ability for thieves to bypass
electric meters or manipulate the conventional glass meters," says Paul
Elliott, vice president of customer services at Whitby Hydro.

He says the metering system, developed exclusively for Whitby, is possibly
the first of its kind in North America.

"We're quite encouraged. We feel we're decades ahead of everyone else,"
adds Mr. Elliott.

Peter Mills, vice president at Stratacon, says he, too, is pleased with the
system.

"The (new) meters can read consumption as low as one-minute intervals," he
explains. "(And) the meters give customers the ability to view their
consumption directly on the Internet."

Durham Regional Police Sergeant Paul Malik says in 2002, over $1 million
was recovered to replace stolen hydro from operators of grow homes in the
Region. Although the police are not involved with Whitby Hydro's meter
project, he says the police "are open to any suggestions they have."

Plans to install the new meters as a pilot project will begin as early as
next week in the new Baycliffe subdivision. The installation will affect 60
homes.

"Elimination of meters and meter bases make for a more visually pleasing
home," comments Nick Falvo, president of Baycliffe Homes. "Baycliffe is
proud to be associated with this pilot project."

The meters cost about $4,000 and each measure a total of 12 homes. And
although no plans have been made to replace technology in older
neighbourhoods, the potential is there.

"The ability to retrofit older homes (is there)," says Mr. Elliott, "But
we're not really looking at that option."

He says the meters may also prove cost-effective if the Province decides to
drop its 4.3-cent per kilowatt-hour hydro freeze in 2006. The freeze began
Dec. 1 in Ontario, due to concerns over energy deregulation throughout the
province.

"The ability for customers to shift their consumption to off peak periods
may allow them to lower their overall cost of electricity," Mr. Elliott says.