Call from the Electric Co. about power usage!!!

[ForgetClassC]

Say you got a new aquarium. They use 1000 watters and all kinds of pumps and such. I guarantee you if you say you got a new 200 gallon aquarium they wont ask anymore. They need at least 8-12 hours of light so that will cover the long lengths of time of the light being on. Make sure you tell them it is MH though. I know you said you have HPS, but HPS isn't used for aquariums.


-C

[Phunnyman]

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.

[WashougalWonder]

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.

RIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[senorx12562]

Oh shit, I'm trippin'

I just got a "courtesy call" from the power company. I haven't called the number back yet, but I'm certain they're going to tell me that I'm using a shitload of power more than I have been! I've heard of this happening and supposedly it's not a big deal, but I must say I'm a little alarmed. They have to be able to tell what's going on!! I've heard others say not to worry... that they won't turn you in since they're making money off of you.

What do you guys think? I was just going to say I got some space heaters and a new PC power supply, but only if they asked.

I've only been using the 1000W for like 13 days... didn't think they'd call that fast (or at all).

I've never received such a call, and I'm periodically running 4000 W of lighting. I think it is highly unlikely that the call is about what you think it is, especially if you've only been running for 13 days. I just wouldn't call them back. And contrary to what was said elsewhere in this thread, leo needs no warrant to get your power usage info. A phone call to Xcel would suffice. You have no reasonable expectation of privacy in that info, as it is by definition in the hands of a third party all the time.

[lampost]

Yeah, it wasn't about the usage. I forgot to pay my bill:stoned:

Sorry for the false alarm! But thanks for the info in case this does happen... sounds like it won't thank god.

[gypski]

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.

Sorry, but they have been scanning people's electric use for a number of years. And, they were alerting LEOs about it. As a matter of fact, on the graph they provide on the bill, will show when you are vegging or flowering unless you balance the usage to stay somewhat static. This comment is based on personal experience with a power company and what it puts on the bill showing usage. Its not due to the so-called election of socialist and communists recently. :thumbsup:

[jamessr]

Well I must say this is a pretense for LEO intrusion. The prosecuting authority of each county represents all the electric co. legal interests( if ya doubt me, call and ask them who their lawyer is.)

I myself last year got a phone call plus a letter in the mail plus a note on my gate and LEO snooping around. It just so happens too be I do have 4 space heaters, which they thought was grow lights for a marijuana grow. Needless to say the asshole legal minded dork I am, I went in blazing legal mumbo jumbo and caught them totally with their pants down.

They now walk very lightly when it comes to my electric bill and accusations or thoughts in their minds about calling any LEO again.

Just so I am clear here, the reason for sending ya any notice is for marijuana grow reasons. LEO has made some interesting research in this area, they can read almost anything sucking juice.

Goodluck and piss on them.

[lampost]

Well I must say this is a pretense for LEO intrusion. The prosecuting authority of each county represents all the electric co. legal interests( if ya doubt me, call and ask them who their lawyer is.)

I myself last year got a phone call plus a letter in the mail plus a note on my gate and LEO snooping around. It just so happens too be I do have 4 space heaters, which they thought was grow lights for a marijuana grow. Needless to say the asshole legal minded dork I am, I went in blazing legal mumbo jumbo and caught them totally with their pants down.

They now walk very lightly when it comes to my electric bill and accusations or thoughts in their minds about calling any LEO again.

Just so I am clear here, the reason for sending ya any notice is for marijuana grow reasons. LEO has made some interesting research in this area, they can read almost anything sucking juice.

Goodluck and piss on them.

Eh. I ain't gonna sweat it one bit! I'm only running 1000W more than usual... yeah that's a lot, but definitely within the realm of reasonable power increase due to update in appliances/computers/heaters.

With what's going on in this state right now... if they were going to follow-up on every 1000W increase then I think there'd be a lot of people gettin' hit before me.

I also changed all my most frequently used light bulbs (about 10 total) to CFLs. Turning the computer off at night (used to leave it on). Also going to start turning power strips off at night (for PC and entertainment center)... all that standby wattage can reduce usage considerably from what I've seen.

Now I just gotta figure out this fucked up air intake system in my basement. I've got a duct along the ceiling leading straight outside, and a second duct comes into along the floor. I think it's for some kind of fresh air circulation for the furnace... but it's gonna be a dead give away for odors once it gets a little warmer and people are outside.

[senorx12562]

Well I must say this is a pretense for LEO intrusion. The prosecuting authority of each county represents all the electric co. legal interests( if ya doubt me, call and ask them who their lawyer is.)

I myself last year got a phone call plus a letter in the mail plus a note on my gate and LEO snooping around. It just so happens too be I do have 4 space heaters, which they thought was grow lights for a marijuana grow. Needless to say the asshole legal minded dork I am, I went in blazing legal mumbo jumbo and caught them totally with their pants down.

They now walk very lightly when it comes to my electric bill and accusations or thoughts in their minds about calling any LEO again.

Just so I am clear here, the reason for sending ya any notice is for marijuana grow reasons. LEO has made some interesting research in this area, they can read almost anything sucking juice.

Goodluck and piss on them.

In our state at least, xcel energy is represented by private counsel and/or in-house counsel employed by xcel , and no county attorney, city attorney, or any other public official represents them.

[Jollyrancher]

Just tell them that you have more people living with you.

Problem is they might sic INS on ya!

I agree, the power companies and LEO work hand in hand.