For five years, I've lived in a home with a fairly consistent natural gas usage. However, following the installation of new smart meters by Piedmont Natural Gas, my reported daily therm usage has inexplicably surged by over 300%.

Understandably there will be some fluctuation because of colder temperatures but the abnormalities started when they installed the new meters last summer. The first very large jump occured in the November billing cycle only growing larger during the cold winter. I've had my gas line, HVAC, and water heater inspected with no leaks or issues. I attempted to address this multiple times with Piedmont Natural Gas and I'm offered no explanation that justifies the said increase in usage.

This dramatic increase is not just an isolated incident – multiple neighbors have reported experiencing the same alarming spike. What's more troubling is that the only evident change coinciding with this surge is the installation of these new smart meters, which are rumored to have calibration problems. This issue goes beyond mere inconvenience; it is draining my bank account in ways I never anticipated.

The financial impact of these inexplicable bills cannot be overstated. For many of us, these utility costs are not just surprising – they are untenable. Continuing under these circumstances is unsustainable and could lead to severe financial strain for many families using Piedmont Natural Gas.

There is a pressing need for transparency and accountability. We demand a thorough and independent audit of Piedmont Natural Gas's smart meters to ensure they are registering accurate data. This audit should be conducted by a third-party organization to guarantee impartiality and restore trust in the billing process.

The alarming uptick in reported therm usage needs investigation, and we rely on Piedmont Natural Gas to prioritize the welfare and financial stability of their customers.

We need you to ensure that our voices are heard and our grievances are addressed. Sign this petition to call for an immediate audit of these smart meters. Let's ensure no family is unfairly burdened due to what appears to be a widespread issue with these new meters.