Bill > HR1980

This bill, known as the Access to Consumer Energy Information Act or E-Access Act, aims to empower electricity consumers by giving them greater access to and understanding of their energy usage and pricing information. The Secretary of Energy (DOE) is directed to encourage policies that allow consumers to access their own electricity data, including residential and commercial information. The bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to allow state energy conservation plans to include programs that enhance this access and understanding, and to foster the development of innovative products and services that help consumers manage their energy consumption and costs. To facilitate this, the Secretary will issue voluntary guidelines, developed in consultation with various stakeholders, that establish model standards for how states can implement retail electric energy information access. These guidelines will cover aspects like data timeliness, security, privacy, and the format in which information should be provided, including electronic, machine-readable forms. States can then submit their data-sharing policies to the DOE for certification that they meet these voluntary guidelines. Finally, the bill authorizes federal funds, subject to appropriations, to assist certified states in implementing these consumer energy information access programs.