DTE Energy urges customers to conduct gas inspections

(CBS DETROIT) – DTE Energy officials say some of their customers are overdue for gas meter inspections and are at risk of service disruption.

Customers may have received notification via text messages, emails, calls and postcards in the mail.

Alissa Jackson, operations manager for DTE Energy Gas, says customers who do not submit to the inspection will be removed from service due to safety concerns.

Restoring a gas line can cost $6,000.

“I can’t emphasize the importance enough,” Jackson said. “We cannot have natural gas leaks in our customers’ homes. It is an extreme danger that we do not want to expose anyone to. That’s why it’s extremely important to contact us when you receive the postcard that you need to drop off in the mail.”

The company is contracted by the Michigan Public Service Commission to ensure there are no customers with overdue inspections by the end of the year.

Jackson says about 100 meters still need inspection by Dec. 31.

DTE officials say the inspections are free and should take about fifteen minutes.

Anyone who is suspicious or unaware that a DTE technician is visiting their home is asked to call 877-853-9434 and confirm their identity. Two people in October posed as DTE workers and allegedly killed a 72-year-old man and duct-taped his wife in their house.