The Maine Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday rejected an electric utility company’s proposal to proactively report high electricity usage – which could indicate illegal cannabis cultivation – to police. Related Press reports. The three-member panel declined to implement the proposal because of concerns that customers who use large amounts of electricity for legitimate purposes could be targeted by police as a result of the reports.

The program was proposed by Versant Power, which told the panel that while it had a high success rate in identifying illegal cannabis cultivation based on electricity usage, it had no way of communicating this to police.

After the decision, Versant spokeswoman Judy Long said the plan was “solely in the interest of public and worker safety.”

“Following today’s discussion and decision in this case, we have clear instructions from the Commission and will remain vigilant to protect customers’ private information while continuing to cooperate with law enforcement as required.” – Long via AP

The proposal was supported by Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster and Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins. Law enforcement officials in Maine have been trying to crack down on illegal cultivation operations in the state, which involve gutting rural homes and converting them into high-yield indoor cannabis farms, the report said. Dozens of the illegal plantations have been busted in the state.

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