I responded to this because I just had lunch with my attorney today and we discussed several issues regarding "hobby gardening" and so forth. This just happened to be one of the issues we chatted about.

I wouldn't tell them anything; how much power you use and what for are YOUR business, not their's. That would be like Exxon calling up and wondering why you filled up twice last month instead of once.

I would simply say I appreciate you calling but unless there is an emergancy, do NOT call me again. If they use or release that information against you in any way, they have violated your right to privacy and several other rights UNLESS law enforcement has secured a search warrant that does not violate the 4th amendment.

LE cannot secure one based upon electricity usage alone and certainly not because the electrical company thinks you are using too much power. Using power or even too much power is not unlawful.

On the other side of the arguement, the power company does have the right to investigate abnormal power usage as far as the possibility of electricity theft, a potential malfunction of equipment (meters, connections to the home), and so forth.

If they believe that there is something unlawful occurring while investigating that could pose a danger to the public or their electrical service, they have the right to call the police who can then secure a search warrant based upon that information.

There is a both sides are correct theory here but personally, I would tell them to pound sand and suck hot asphalt.

For those of you who voted for socialism and communism last year, here's a nice example of how big government will conveniently wedge itself into your life.