Should they help identify illegal marijuana grows [Video]

REPORT EXCESSIVE POWER USAGE TO POLICE IN AN EFFORT TO CRACK DOWN ON THE PROBLEM. <JIM INTRO-06.33.47> “THIS OLD FARMHOUSE IN TURNER ON ROUTE 4 – ONE OF THE MANY PLACES THAT DRUG AGENTS HAVE BUSTED IN RECENT MONTHS INVOLVING ALLEGED CHINESE ILLEGAL MARIJUANA GROW OPERATIONS. THE QUESTION NOW IS, SHOULD POWER COMPANIES BE ALLOWED TO ALERT AUTHORITIES IF THEY BELIEVE A CRIME IS BEING COMMITTED?” IT’S A QUESTION BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION. THE AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL CONSUMER IN MAINE USES BETWEEN 500-550 KILOWATT HOURS PER MONTH- BY COMPARISON ENERGY CONSUMPTION AT THESE LARGE-SCALE MARIJUANA GROW SITES CAN SURGE TO MORE THAN 3,000 KILOWATT HOURS PER MONTH. THESE GROW OPERATIONS USE EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF ELECTRICITY FOR LIGHTS AND FANS THAT SOMETIMES RUN 24-HOURS A DAY. THIS IDEA TO REPORT HIGH USAGE COMES AFTER FRUSTRATION FROM MAINE LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO CAN’T KEEP UP WITH THE ESTIMATED 270 ILLEGAL GROW OPERATIONS THAT …