swordfish

It's my understanding if one contacts these agencys a form will be sent out for people with medical conditions necesitating them to run grow lights for their state approved grow, provided they have their primary doctor sign this form before it's returned.
This would also apply to people on ventilators or require A/C in their homes or any medically challenged person.
The phone co has the Universal Lifeline program for better rates for low income individuals, so I believe this same generosity is extended py the power companys as well.
I learned that a med patient could apply for this program with PG&E and receive 500kw hours per month reduction in their bill. Since I have Edison, the program may differ.

Has anyone else taken advantage of this opportunity or can shed more light with first hand expierience about the varacity of these programs?

__________________

swordfish

Ok I know everybodys still asleep but getting 500KW hours a month for free seems like a good deal. Thought this thread would spark some interest for poeple with $$ problems like myself and are having a hard time making their payments and are abandoning their grows because of the high cost of electricity that has been on some of the members minds. Or maybe the medical usage forum here at the GC gets few hits. Maybe this thread should be placed in the indoor growing section where it would have more benifit because more growers are apt to look there. I will leave it up to the mods but I believe this forum is often overlooked.

__________________

analog

No experience on this idea, but a thought:

That "they" would want to come to your residence to
do an "energy conservation" appraisal, so that their
"discount" to you would be optimized.

__________________

swordfish

Sounds possible they would want to come to the crib and take a look around if the explanation for requesting this discount was purely for growing. I have another individual in my household on 16 medications a day who requires air conditioning in the summer months like theres no tomorrow. They would probably be concerned with the efficiancy of the appliances I would be useing but would not preclude them from issueing a reduction. Haveing fear and loathing about revealing your legal med grow to state appointed power providers is not a consideration that crossed my mind from a security aspect, maybe it should be and this thread belongs in the security section. I have read that others do this with impunity and wish to here if there's a downside.

__________________

outdoors

Interesting stuff SF...

abandoned grows due to high cost of necessary resources....

isn't it more expensive to buy it than to grow it under most circumstances?

I'd call the power company and ask them if there is such a thing and what the parameters are. Got nothing to lose there do you?

Call from a pay phone or some other place if you're worried about security. Seems like the information should be pretty easy to obtain without risk.

Peace- OD

__________________

swordfish

I would not abandon a grow because I couldnt pay for it, that is not what I was implying. I have been doing this long enough to not start one in the first place unless I know I can see it through with the associated electrical costs. Just trying to recognize a reduction. Wasnt clear on the Ca and other states med users who would qualify for these type of programs. I see know reason at this time to fear persecution unless someone here can step forward and attest they were reamed by doing this as one would expect in a non-med state.
The question I am putting fourth is a med-state issue and would not apply to areas that did not have these type of mj programs. Anotherwords this thread would not be applicable in Florida until which time the state changes its laws.
In my expierience to produce the bomb out here on the west coast with the accompanying electrical charges that are in place now, it is almost a wash as opposed to going to the clubs and buying it. Sure you can grow with cfls or scale back your lighting but that is not my intention and with current electrical pricing I can grow for about 1/3 the price I could aquire it for from the street or clubs which price according to street prices out here anyway. Just trying to see a further reduction in $$ outlay if I can qualify or another member in household can. Just looking for negative repurcussions from others who have sighned up for these type of programs.

__________________