I'm losing my mind trying to audit DTE Gas bills for a Grand Rapids manufacturing client. They've got four separate meters, each on different billing cycles, and DTE keeps changing the meter read dates without notice. Last month meter A was read on the 15th, meter B on the 22nd, meter C on the 3rd of the following month, and meter D apparently wasn't read at all - just estimated. Client got charged $18,500 for the month but I can't even figure out what period the charges cover because the billing cycles are so screwed up. Anyone else dealing with DTE's chaos?
Michigan gas billing cycles are insane
Tina, DTE is notorious for this stuff. Vermont Gas is much more organized by comparison. Have you tried demanding they standardize all meters to the same billing cycle? Most utilities will do this if you push hard enough. The scattered read dates make reconciliation nearly impossible and gives them cover to hide billing errors. I'd also insist they provide actual reads for all meters - no estimates.
Chester, I tried that but DTE claims the meters are in different "route zones" and can't be synchronized. Sounds like BS to me but they won't budge. The estimated reading thing is driving me crazy too - meter D has been estimated for three straight months. I'm starting to think they don't even have access to that meter anymore. Client is considering installing their own monitoring equipment just to get accurate usage data.
Tina, this is exactly why we see so many gas billing disputes. The utilities have zero incentive to maintain accurate records when they can just estimate high and collect extra cash. I'd recommend filing a formal complaint with the Michigan PSC - they take meter reading accuracy seriously. Also document everything and consider getting your own interval gas monitoring installed. It's expensive upfront but pays for itself quickly when dealing with utilities like DTE.
Randy, good point about the PSC complaint. I'm definitely heading that direction. The interval monitoring is interesting - what kind of costs are we looking at for four meters? Client is pretty frustrated and might be willing to invest in better monitoring if it prevents these billing nightmares. The $18,500 monthly charges are killing their budget planning since we never know what DTE is actually measuring.
For four meters you're probably looking at $12,000-15,000 installed, depending on the monitoring system. Companies like EnergyCAP or Obvius make good interval gas meters. The ROI is usually 12-18 months when you factor in billing error recovery and improved budget forecasting. Plus you'll have bulletproof data for any future disputes with DTE. Worth every penny when dealing with utilities that can't keep their billing cycles straight.
Randy's right about the monitoring equipment ROI. We installed Obvius gas monitors for a Vermont client last year and caught $8,200 in billing errors within six months. The real value is having indisputable usage data when the utility tries to claim their estimates are accurate. DTE can't argue with time-stamped interval readings from certified equipment.
Update on the DTE situation - filed the PSC complaint and suddenly DTE is very interested in "fixing" our billing cycle issues. Amazing how quickly they can solve "impossible" route zone problems when regulators get involved. They're sending a team out next week to synchronize all four meters to the same monthly read date. Still pursuing the interval monitoring though - this has been too much of a headache to trust DTE going forward.
Tina, that's fantastic news! Nothing motivates utilities like regulatory pressure. Make sure you get the meter synchronization in writing and demand they provide historical actual reads for the periods they were estimating. You might be able to recover some of those questionable charges from the past few months. Keep pushing - DTE will try to "resolve" this quietly without admitting to any billing errors.
Randy, absolutely getting everything in writing. DTE already tried to offer a "goodwill credit" of $850 without admitting any errors. I told them we want a full reconciliation with actual meter reads before we discuss any credits. Client is backing me 100% - they're tired of paying for DTE's incompetence. Will keep the group posted on how this resolves.
Perfect approach, Tina. Never accept "goodwill credits" without a full accounting - that's just the utility trying to make the problem go away cheaply. The fact they offered $850 suggests they know the actual overcharges are much higher. Keep digging and don't let them off the hook. This kind of systematic billing dysfunction usually affects multiple customers, not just your client.