Will the electric company become suspicious?

Actually, and this is from my good friend who works at PG&E who I've heard answer this question at least a dozen times. And at least in CA this applies, PG&E has no policy or reporting or sharing energy usage of residents in service to any law enforcement agencies. He is unsure but thinks it isn't even allowed unless warrants are involved. Energy is a business, they have no reason to mess with you. Besides all that, stealing energy is serious in addition to messing w/ public services which also carries penalties.(federal i think)

If your gonna get caught, its not going to be the energy company unless your stealing it off the grid, and with the new meter switch overs, you will be caught when they come to switch the unit out. Your drawing more attention to your Op by stealing it.

Wouldn't you rather get a cultivation charge then grand theft and federal charges for tampering/stealing energy in addition to cultivation?

Btw it is also PG&E policy to not consider marijuana usage as a valid reason to fail a drug test according the fine print on their applications