triprey
Concerned Medical Patient
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C&P from Cannabis Culture Magazine
[SIZE=+2]CN BC: Pot Power Use Draws Concern[/SIZE]
by Al Irwin, (19 Sep 2007) Langley Times British Columbia
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. :farm:
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; :aok:
* 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,:cop: 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.
[SIZE=-1]MAP posted-by: Derek[/SIZE]
Pubdate: Wed, 19 Sep 2007
Source: Langley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Langley Times
Contact: [email protected]
Website: http://www.langleytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230
Author: Al Irwin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
[SIZE=+2]CN BC: Pot Power Use Draws Concern[/SIZE]
by Al Irwin, (19 Sep 2007) Langley Times British Columbia
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. :farm:
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; :aok:
* 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,:cop: 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.
[SIZE=-1]MAP posted-by: Derek[/SIZE]Pubdate: Wed, 19 Sep 2007
Source: Langley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Langley Times
Contact: [email protected]
Website: http://www.langleytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230
Author: Al Irwin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
