Maine Utility proposal

Versant Power, Maine's electric utility, has proposed reporting unusually high electricity consumption to law enforcement to aid in identifying illegal marijuana grow operations, which have been linked to transnational crime syndicates. This initiative has sparked a significant debate over privacy rights, as critics argue it could violate constitutional protections by allowing data sharing without judicial oversight. Alan Butler from the Electronic Privacy Information Center labeled the proposal as unconstitutional, emphasizing the absence of probable cause or warrants. The proposal is set to be discussed by the Maine Public Utilities Commission amidst rising concerns about privacy and civil liberties. Advocates for privacy, including the ACLU, warn that utilities should focus on protecting customer data rather than surveilling it. The discussions come as illegal grow operations have surged in states that have legalized marijuana, raising alarms about their implications for public safety and individual rights.