Delaware Code Title 26 Sec. 404 – Relocation of residential gas meters and other equipment
(a) Prior to the relocation of any inside residential gas meter, the public utility shall consult with each owner of the property as to the owner’s preference for retaining the gas meter inside or relocating it to an outside location. If the gas meter remains inside, no person shall conceal the meter by plaster, sheathing, or any other materials or means, and the meter must be located in a ventilated area, not less than 3 feet away from any source of ignition and any sources of heat. If the public utility determines that it is feasible for the other residential gas equipment, such as the regulator and valve and accessories thereto, to be located outside, such equipment shall be relocated outside.
Terms Used In Delaware Code Title 26 Sec. 404
- Public utility: includes every individual, partnership, association, corporation, joint stock company, agency or department of the State or any association of individuals engaged in the prosecution in common of a productive enterprise (commonly called a "cooperative"), their lessees, trustees or receivers appointed by any court whatsoever, that now operates or hereafter may operate for public use within this State, (however, electric cooperatives shall not be permitted directly or through an affiliate to engage in the production, sale or distribution of propane gas or heating oil), any natural gas, electric (excluding electric suppliers as defined in § 1001 of this title), electric transmission by other than a public utility over which the Commission has no supervisory or regulatory jurisdiction pursuant to § 202(a) or (g) of this title, water, wastewater (which shall include sanitary sewer charge), telecommunications (excluding telephone services provided by cellular technology or by domestic public land mobile radio service) service, system, plant or equipment. See Delaware Code Title 26 Sec. 102
(b) If the gas meter is relocated to an outside location, the public utility shall determine a feasible location that is least visibly prominent and considers the preference of each owner of the property. If requested by a property owner, the public utility will provide initial landscaping or other screening to camouflage the gas meter.
(c) In the event that a gas meter remains inside, each owner of the residential property shall grant reasonable access to the public utility to maintain, repair, replace, or inspect the gas meter, consistent with the provisions of the public utility’s tariff provisions. If any property owner denies the public utility reasonable access to the gas meter, the property’s gas service shall be subject to termination, in which event, upon reconnection of service, the public utility may, in its sole discretion, move the gas meter outside consistent with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section.
(d) Notwithstanding any provision of the Delaware Code or any law, ordinance, rule, or regulation of any county or municipality to the contrary, the public utility may relocate the gas meter outside, with the property owner’s approval, where a property is located in a historic district, neighborhood conservation district, or other designated district subject to design standards or guidelines involving review and approval by applicable governmental boards or agencies, or is eligible for listing or is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The public utility shall relocate the other gas equipment for the property, such as the regulator and valve and accessories thereto, outside. If the gas meter and other equipment are moved outside, the public utility shall provide initial landscaping or other screening to camouflage the gas meter and other gas equipment.
(e) As used in this section, the term “feasible” means that which is consistent with gas industry safety standards and in compliance with the public utility’s design and engineering requirements.