FortisBC Inc. (FortisBC) Application for a Certificate of Public ...

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Response:
Confirmed.
Response:
FortisBC Inc. (FortisBC or the Company)
Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project
Response to British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC or the Commission)
Information Request (IR) No. 1
Submission Date:
October 5, 2012
Page 179
between the Status Quo and the AMI – Probable scenario represents the
number of sites moving to alternative energy sources each year.
Please confirm that the table is correct. If not confirmed, please provide an
updated table and explain the differences.
80.1.1 According to the table prepared by Commission staff above, the number
of marijuana grow operation sites that will commence paying for electricity
due to the AMI project exceeds those that will move to alternative energy
sources. Please explain the rationale for this, given that the two main
reasons for energy theft are indicated as those to evade detection by both
law enforcement and municipal authorities.
The detection risks to illegal marijuana grow operations from production orders and the
amended Safety Standard Act cited in the preamble to this question are known and stable risks,
particularly in FortisBC service territory where no municipalities have taken action to date. All
other risks being equal, FortisBC would expect the number of paying sites and alternate energy
sites to remain constant.
However, other detection risk factors are not equal in the status quo and AMI scenarios. In the
status quo scenario, the increased risk of detection due to electricity theft in BC Hydro service
territory would be considered by marijuana growers. In the AMI scenario, the increasing risk of
detection due to theft in both BC Hydro and FortisBC service territories would be considered.