Shocker! Six-figure energy bill was a mistake

Mich. computer firm wrongly charged $136,524 for electricity, gas

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updated 5:10 a.m. ET Oct. 16, 2008

ANN ARBOR, Michigan - The head of a computer networking company got a shock when DTE Energy sent him a gas and electric bill for $136,524.40.

The utility said the bill sent to Dominant Systems was a mistake, and it's rescinding a shut-off notice accompanying a separate bill for $36,275.

Company president Terry Weadock told The Ann Arbor News that the problem started when numerous power outages prompted him to move 40 computer systems out of Dominant Systems' Ann Arbor facility last year.

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Weadock told Detroit's WDIV-TV that electricity use dropped by two-thirds — and alerted DTE's fraud department, which said it believed the meter was faulty and it was back-billing him $7,193.

He was disputing that charge when the $136,524 bill arrived, followed by the demand for $36,275 and the shut-off notice. DTE spokesman John Austerberry said the utility will review Weadock's claims.