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Bellatrix

Cannabis Growers' Meters not Read

From new.com.au
By LEANNE CRAIG
August 4, 2004

PEOPLE growing cannabis crops at home are believed to be among 10,000 households which have refused to have their electricity meters read in the past 12 months.

Bellatrix; this whole story is based on something that is based on belief, not fact. Just because someone refuses to have their meter read doesn't mean their growing pot. There are a myriad of other reasons some wouldn't want to have their meter read.

Essential Services Commission chairman Lew Owens has urged households which have not had their meter read in the past year to contact ETSA or face possible disconnection.

Bellatrix; let's clarify something here. These people are paying their bills and aren't breaking any laws. Why is ETSA so demanding about getting these meter readings? Threatening someone with disconnection is pretty serious.

He said the households fell into three broad categories, those which had meters inside, those which had outdoor meters but had locked gates or guard dogs and those which were actively avoiding having meters read because they were growing illegal crops.

Bellatrix; nice scientific classification there bozo -
1) meters that are inside,
2) meters that are outside but inacessible for whatever reason, and
3)METERS THAT ARE HIDDEN BY THE EVIL DOPE FIENDS!!!

Mr Owens said 10,000 households had missed four meter readingS, 17,000 had missed three readings and 100,000 had made special provisions with ETSA for meter readings.

The South Australian Council of Social Service said that any move to disconnect power to consumers overdue for a meter reading was unfair. SACOSS spokesman John Wishart said: "We're not talking about bill evaders.

"I think that's very important, obviously it's a real issue when people are not paying their bills and we really need to look at that one," he said.

"But this is in a completely different category and we'd argue that security of supply is far more important than disconnection."

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Niteshift

There are a myriad of other reasons some wouldn't want to have their meter read.

Could you please list a few reasons?

I know everywhere I've ever lived, having your meter read was not a CHOICE, it was a requirement.


Bellatrix; let's clarify something here. These people are paying their bills and aren't breaking any laws. Why is ETSA so demanding about getting these meter readings? Threatening someone with disconnection is pretty serious.

I'm not sure how it works in Austrailia, but around here, they will bill you for a few months based on ESTIMATES (usually using last years bill as a basis), then read your meter every few months.

Usually, the reading shows MORE electric use than the estimates. So without a true reading, hte electric company can be losing money on each of those homes.

The meters are there for a reason, to show the exact amount of useage. Again, I'm not sure how it's done there, but I know here, they would cut your power until you complied. And since electricity isn't actually a right, I'd be hard pressed to say they aren't allowed to do it.



Bellatrix; nice scientific classification there bozo -
1) meters that are inside,
2) meters that are outside but inacessible for whatever reason, and
3)METERS THAT ARE HIDDEN BY THE EVIL DOPE FIENDS!!!

He did say 3 broad classifications, didn't he?

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xxdr_zombiexx

three broad categories, those which had meters inside, those which had outdoor meters but had locked gates or guard dogs and those which were actively avoiding having meters read because they were growing illegal crops.


Rather an amazing leap of thinking, really. The Reefer Madness Leap of Faith.

So anybody who didn't want their meter read MUST be growing the evil weed.... Sounds so very American. "You MUST have something to hide". IF you had nothing to hide, why would you need to invoke your rights?

Sounds like they have more freedom down there if one can opt-out of a meter reading.

I let the meter guy read the meter here because I have no choice, but I let the dog bother them a little first. I like it when the guys get out of the truck with their hands up because the zombie hound (pictured below) is so fearsome. Always good for a giggle.

Never know when one of the meter readers is a TIPS snitch. (As always, TIPS means Turn In Pot Smokers.) It's nice to send them a message: "must disable large dog before sneak-and-peak activities in the Zombie Compound"

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WhatTheFawk

Niteshift I just think they don't want to be arrested for doing something that they honestly believe shouldn't be illegal. If they're growing that is, which goes back to the bigger reason why we're probably all here. If marijuana crops weren't 'illegal' this wouldnt even be brought up in the first place. That's why it's stupid, there's bearly even a reason to argue about it. It shouldn't be on the list in the first place.

I'd like to know when's the last time they did this, if they check all these houses every year or every few months for this then really what can you do? Anyone know if this the first time they've ever brought this up, that would be a bit odd?

Usually, the reading shows MORE electric use than the estimates. So without a true reading, hte electric company can be losing money on each of those homes.

If anything wouldn't that be a small percentage of error. I mean I don't know, but if it is, wouldn't they lose more money by having these 10,000 people not pay at all. Maybe they could generate less power if they get rid of a certian amount of people and that would even out the loss of them not paying. I think, what we need, is an electrician.

Niteshift

If marijuana crops weren't 'illegal' this wouldnt even be brought up in the first place.

Since they listed two other possible reasons (first I might add), I'd say that theory is flawed.

If anything wouldn't that be a small percentage of error. I mean I don't know, but if it is, wouldn't they lose more money by having these 10,000 people not pay at all.

Is it small? Let's say there IS a grow-op in the house. The electric use can be QUITE significant.

 

S2

The thing that got me was that disconnecting service for refusing to have your meter read was "unfair" WTF??? its unfair for the company to measure the amount of electricity that you asked them to sell you?

Yeah man, lets start buying gasoline that way-- just go into the station adn toss them a 5 spot and if they want to check the pump to see the number of gallons you actually bought-- welll how outrageous!!!
It well could be that Chairman Owens stated his belief on his experience with people who dont allow meter readings and that historically, those people fell into those braod catagories-

Frankly, Id think that growers would be more likely to be cooperative and allow the reading in order to not stand out and draw unwanted attention

JTP

Lol, it's funny you say that. I have around 265 lbs of dog flesh roaming my yard. Yet the most amazing thing happens every 2 months or so. Namely the way the meter reader opens my gate, walks into the yard, says "git dogs" and reads my meter. My dogs just bristle and growl - thats it. These are the same dogs that kept a constrution crew of 14 standing in a corner for over an hour before I noticed the situation.

Some folks are just dog people.

And btw, nice pup - is it your's?

xxdr_zombiexx

Heh.... Thankz!

That dog really has a mean streak. I have seen her on hiking trials standing at the top of a hill staring at people at the bottom just to intimidate them. It's like a hobby. and if people talk... she growls and barks.

And yeah.. she is mine. had her since about 1996.

Once I saw her yank a heavy vat exam table sideways in the floor and keep 3 vets at bay, while chained to the table. It was hysterical.