Two words: San Bruno.
Call the local TV stations and newspapers. They ought to be delighted to cover this kind of timelessness.
Tell them (or your attorney) their meter readers and billing system have recognized the moved meter for decades. They wouldn’t if you or your parents had installed without authorization.
Hope You at least feel a Little better.
I’m thinking go Propane Tank?
Remember Abbott and Costello?
Who’s on First!
Document everything and lawyer up.
Do what you need to do, and in the meantime get a lawyer and sue the bastards.
This is why we find people on top of over passes with sniper rifles. When someone tells you no there always has to be higher appeal, supervisor or not. I worked in the headquarters of a mid sized state depart. i hired trainers from the field and told them their job is to find someone who has the authoiorty to say yes because every asshole can say no.
Good luck-—former sacramentan
For whatever it’s worth, it’s the law in NJ also that the gas company is responsible for pipes and equipment up to and including the meter - after that it’s up to the homeowner to maintain and repair additional pipes and equipment - I regularly get ads from some company wanting me to buy insurance to pay for any repairs needed on gas equipment after the meter - I regularly tear them up....
I know PG&E had one record in the ‘70’s ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8jhRuZhkRI
It would cost a fair amount of money to move a meter and your parents wouldn’t have had any reason to do it. I would imagine that it would not be difficult to tell from the condition of the gas line piping that this was done a long time ago. Maybe you have some old pictures of the house where the meters can be seen?
I like the local tv news route. If you do lawyer up, keep in mind that the gas company surely has some records on the meter - likely they have replaced it some time in the last 30 years.
Geez, that’ll cost a fair amount to get straightened out, talking about $20K. I honestly see no way you can show that PG&E did the work. You may be forced to go propane.
Visit your local inspection division office and see if they have any recorders regarding a permit on moving the meter back when you claim the meter was moved. Note who pulled the permit.
So, PG&E installed an unauthorized gas line on your property? Too bad you likely do not have as-builts and/or photographic documentation of the periods before and after PG&E performed work, without your permission, on your property.
Here in NC the gas co. will dig and install a line and meter up to about 100’ at no charge. Beyond that they will charge by the foot.
Could you get them the run a line, set a new meter at the apt? Rid of the old line.
There was a reason they didnt inform the property owner when they relocated the meter, and that simple reason is because they screwed you 40 years ago.
You should try to get some of that $1.5mil that Sacramento is gonna give to the gang bangers to not kill people.