Never tamper with natural gas meters

Natural gas meters attached to your home should never be tampered with or removed by customers. Recently, our gas fitters were called to a residence where a customer had dismantled our gas meter to install a gas line to a gas stove in his home. It could be a very dangerous situation.

“Under no circumstances, should you ever disconnect the natural gas piping outside your home,” says Jerry Nash, a We Energies gas fitter who was called to the incident.

Nash was able to prevent any additional problems and quickly made the situation safe.

“The customer was unaware that he needed to give us or any qualified personnel, familiar with piping a call,” said Nash.

Only our highly trained employees can remove or replace equipment on our natural gas meters. We also are responsible for maintaining gas mains and underground lines that connect our main to the natural gas meter. Customers are responsible for natural gas lines running from the meter to equipment in and around their property. A plumbing, heating or locating contractor can assist with locating, inspecting and repairing customer-owned buried piping. 

Our main concern is keeping our customers and employees safe. We are here to educate our customers to prevent potential accidents.

If you are unsure which natural gas facilities are your responsibility, contact us at 800-242-9137.

Natural gas is a colorless, odorless gas until we add mercaptan, a rotten egg odor to help detect leaks. If you smell natural gas or have a natural gas emergency, leave immediately and call 800-261-5325 from another location.

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