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

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Emerging Regulatory Role (Smart Grid)

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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