On April 1, 2016, a cannabis industry association issued a hoax statement noting that the Okanogan PUD issued a $976,000 rebate check to CannaSol Farms for installing a lighting system supporting an indoor growing operation. The statement was issued as an April Fools’ joke.

The Washington Sungrowers Industry Association states on their Facebook page, “Even though the article was published as an April Fools’ joke, the intention was to shed light on the very serious implications around indoor growers receiving large utility rebates for using lighting systems to make their practices appear to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly”.

Okanogan PUD continues to receive questions and comments about the April Fools’ hoax. For the record, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Conservation Program, administered by Okanogan PUD, does not provide conservation incentives for cannabis grow operations.