§ 47. Inspection and examination of apparatus. 1. A duly authorized
agent of a utility corporation or municipality may enter any dwelling,
building or other location supplied with gas or electricity by the
utility corporation or municipality, for the purpose of inspecting and
examining the meters, pipes, fittings, wires and other apparatus for
regulating, supplying and/or ascertaining the quantity supplied, under
the following terms and conditions:

(a) the agent exhibits a photo-identification badge and a written
authority signed by the president or vice-president and secretary or
assistant secretary of the corporation, or by the mayor or clerk of a
municipal corporation or by the chairman and secretary of a municipal
board in control of a municipal utility, and

(b) any such inspection and examination shall be conducted on a
non-holiday work day between eight a.m. and six p.m. or such other
reasonable time requested by the customer, except when an emergency may
threaten the health or safety of a person, the surrounding area or the
utility's or municipality's distribution system, or except when the
commission by regulation establishes a different time for the inspection
and examination where there is evidence of meter tampering or theft of
services.

2. Except when an emergency may threaten the health or safety of a
person, the surrounding area or the utility's or municipality's
distribution system or where authorized by court order, an agent of a
utility or municipality, otherwise duly authorized to inspect and
examine apparatus may not enter locked premises without permission of a
person lawfully in control of the premises, nor use any manner of force
to carry out such inspection and examination.