I am a subcontractor for the electric company. Because they are not licensed their authority ends at the meter. The meter base is owned by the customers, but they have no access to the meter legally. I have encountered these locks and have been told to cut them and replace with a new meter ring and seal which I am supplied with. Before I worked with them and encountered a problem ,and had to gain access to the meter base I made sure to call them first and explain who I was and why I was cutting their seal. They had no problem with this as I had identified myself. They do take unauthorized entry to their meters very seriously, and I would not want to get on their bad side.
