New York Consolidated Laws, Public Service Law - PBS § 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:

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.