McKeesport, Pa. – For over a month and a half, longtime resident Valerie Findley has been living with a crippled electrical system that leaves half of her home without power. The problem began when water seeped into the meter base, causing the utility’s meter box to malfunction.
Problem and initial response
Findley, who has lived in her house for more than 25 years, first noticed the issue when major appliances, smart devices and security cameras stopped working. “All my major appliances, I can’t use. My smart devices don’t work. My cameras don’t work. I’m pretty much all of my outlets in my home don’t work,” she told reporters.
She called Duquesne Light, the local electric provider, and was instructed to hire an electrician. The electrician inspected the home and identified the meter box as the source of the outage, stating that its repair falls under the utility’s responsibility.
Utility investigation
After Action News 4 alerted Duquesne Light to the complaint, a company spokesperson confirmed that a field specialist visited Findley’s property several times, including a recent inspection on Tuesday afternoon. The specialist reported that the meter itself was functioning properly and that the home was receiving the correct voltage from the grid. However, the inspection also revealed water intrusion at the meter base, which had allowed moisture to enter the electrical panel.
“A DLC field specialist has visited the property several times, including today, to thoroughly investigate the customer’s concerns and confirmed that the meter was functioning properly and that she was receiving proper voltage from our system. During the inspections, the specialists identified water entering the customer’s electrical panel from the meter base and discussed the findings directly with her. Because maintenance of the meter base and electrical panel is the customer’s responsibility, the specialists recommended that she work with a qualified electrician to address the issue,” the spokesperson said.
Consumer perspective and next steps
Findley expressed frustration, noting that the recurring exposure to rain, snow or sleet has caused “severe damage” to her home’s electrical system. “I really can’t believe it, because I’ve lived in my home for over 25 years now, and I’ve had Duquesne Light as my energy provider. I’ve never experienced anything like this,” she added.
Given the utility’s position that the meter base maintenance is the homeowner’s duty, Findley is now exploring legal options to recover costs associated with the electrician’s work and any damage to her property.
What homeowners should know
While utilities are responsible for delivering power, the physical upkeep of meter bases and interior panels often falls to the property owner. Homeowners in the region should ensure that meter enclosures are properly sealed and that any signs of water intrusion are addressed promptly to avoid costly outages.
Consumers who encounter similar issues are encouraged to document all communications with their utility, obtain written assessments from licensed electricians, and, if necessary, seek legal counsel to protect their rights.
Original reporting: WTAE (Hearst) – local — read the source article.
