From what David Weber said, using electricity (for most anybody on Safehold) would be "stealing from Langhorne".
Clyntahn doesn't need to know about the OBS and what would set it off.
He just knows that playing around with electricity is strictly forbidden.
Oh David Weber has stated that people in the past on Safehold have "played around with electricity" and the Inquisition has reacted harshly when they found out about it.
Check out "Why can't Charis have electricity?" here:
http://www.davidweber.net/faqs/index/series:6ManyMyths wrote:The Office of the Grand Inquisitor may have more detailed information about what will set off the OBS and Clynton doesn't strike me as a 'martyr' type. This may be partially why he's vetting what info he's passing on. The other reason being he's a control freak of the first order. Also, he wants to discourage innovation and only allow those inventions he's looked over and approved. In MHO if the Church won, all those innovators like Brother Lynkyn would be dead shortly after if Clynton were still in charge.