Judge: Utility not required to power home after meter change

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) - A judge says a Michigan utility isn't required to supply power to a home where a couple installed their own meter.

Andrea McNinch and Phillip Sullivan sued seeking to have power restored to their home in the Detroit suburb of Royal Oak. The Oakland Press of Pontiac reports (http://bit.ly/1KamYZy ) DTE Energy Co. deemed the situation unsafe and shut off power Dec. 18.

Oakland County Chief Circuit Judge Nanci Grant says in an opinion that McNinch and Sullivan failed to articulate why they are unwilling to use a DTE-approved meter.

DTE spokesman Scott Simons says tampering with or removing meters is illegal and a "serious safety situation."

McNinch says she swapped the so-called smart meter due to concerns that it might cause health problems. DTE says the meters are safe.

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Information from: The Oakland Press, http://www.theoaklandpress.com