DTE sues customers who removed new meter

ADDISON TOWNSHIP (AP) -- DTE Energy is suing owners of an Oakland County home who removed a new electricity meter. Lillian Cusumano says she had flu-like symptoms and a "stabbing headache" after the so-called smart meter was installed at her Addison Township home more than a year ago. Her husband Dominic tells The Macomb Daily he put the old meter back on the house. Smart meters allow utilities to monitor electricity use without sending a reader to each house. DTE denies that the high-tech meters are a health threat. The company is proposing a one-time charge of $87 and $15 monthly fees for customers who don't want them. The lawsuit in Oakland County court is on hold while state regulators consider DTE's opt-out policy. Published: Tue, Dec 18, 2012