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Privacy of Home Energy Usage Data
Jim WilliamsJune 26, 2012
Jim WilliamsJune 26, 2012
Privacy Protection
Traditional regulatory role in protecting customer personal information
Expanded regulatory role in protecting customer information in retail competition
Emerging regulatory role in protecting customer information from unauthorized third-party disclosure
Advocacy in state and federal proceedings
Traditional Regulatory Role Protection of customer privacy from unauthorized
access Simple relationship between utility/ customer Regulatory requirements to protect information
such as identity, SSN, account-specific information, payment and credit history
Energy usage information primarily collected for billing purposes
Commission mandated disclosure requirements prior to the release of any customer information
– Credit purposes– Participation in Federal and State assistance
programs
Expanded Regulatory Role (Retail Competition) Protection of customer privacy from unauthorized access More complex relationship utility/ supplier/ customer Commission rules for release of generic load and customer
information to competitive suppliers Contractual disclosure:
– Customer specific information– Utility account number– Energy usage data
Utilities and suppliers required to protect customer privacy Usage information needed for marketing and billing purposes Enforcement of privacy protections through supplier certification
process
4
Emerging Regulatory Role (Smart Grid)
5
Protection of customer privacy from unauthorized access
More complex relationship utility/ customer/ supplier/ third-party provider
Types of products and services offered by third-party providers
Identification of the specific customer information that requires protection
Defining how unauthorized access might occur Assessing impact of unauthorized access Disclosure requirements Customer education requirements
General Issues Potential exists for customer energy usage information to be
provided to third-party providers by utility/ supplier/ customer Disclosure requirements need to be defined concerning:
– how and what customer information will be released– how the information will be used and protected
How customers are informed and educated about risks Implicit vs. explicit authorization Marketing standards Written (or other means) of consent by the customer Opt-in vs. opt-out participation in programs Enforcement
6
Conclusion
Potential for customers to be harmed through unauthorized access of customer information including energy usage data
Consumer protection rules and policies need to be developed to mitigate this risk
Customers need to be educated and informed on effective ways to protect privacy
Privacy of Home Energy Usage Data
Thank You!
Jim WilliamsJune 26, 2012
Jim WilliamsJune 26, 2012