Natural gas customers who have not allowed an indoor meter or service-line inspection could lose service and face added costs, NYSEG and Rochester Gas and Electric warned Thursday. The utilities say about 1,036 meters in NYSEG territory and 4,742 in RG&E territory still need inspections and are at risk of physical disconnection.
The state- and federally required visits take about 10 minutes, according to the companies. Inspectors check for leaks, excessive corrosion and other abnormal conditions at the indoor meter or service line. The utilities are asking customers who receive an inspection notice to arrange access; NYSEG's gas-safety inspection page explains what crews examine.
What happens if crews cannot get inside
The companies say they will try to reach customers by mail, email, phone, door hanger and in-person visits before taking further action. Inspectors are expanding appointment hours, and customers may see them in neighborhoods Monday through Saturday. If no one is available, crews will leave an information card.
After repeated attempts to gain access, gas service could be shut off until the meter is inspected and found safe. A customer may also be charged a $100 fee, the utilities said. Those consequences are not described as automatic after a single missed visit.
If an inside meter remains inaccessible, the companies say New York's code now requires a physical disconnection from their gas distribution system. Restoring service after that step may require a new service line, and the customer could be responsible for the full reinstallation cost. The release does not give a uniform price for that work or a deadline that applies to every affected address.
NYSEG and RG&E described physical disconnection as a last resort after multiple unsuccessful attempts to arrange an inspection. Their figures represent meters they say remain to be inspected in their respective territories; the release does not break those totals down by county or say all will be disconnected.
Identifying an inspector and addressing problems
Only utility employees and qualified contractors are supposed to conduct the visits. They should show a green or yellow company identification badge before entering a home, and customers are encouraged to ask to see it. Residents uncertain about a visitor should contact their utility through an official channel rather than rely on a number supplied at the door.
The inspection includes a visual and physical assessment of the equipment and checks for conditions that could threaten safe gas delivery. If crews find suspected corrosion or a leak involving utility-owned infrastructure, the companies say they will address that issue at no cost to the customer. The release does not promise free repairs to customer-owned equipment.
Tom Scappaticci, the utilities' vice president of gas engineering and operations, said qualified inspectors use specialized tools to check the equipment. The companies are continuing to send notices and make calls while offering more appointment times.
Customers who receive a notice can use the information on it or the official NYSEG inspection page to arrange the required visit and review the process. RG&E customers should use the company's official gas-safety inspection information or customer-service channels.
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