E-Access Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (24 Apr 2015): Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
What this bill does
The E-Access Act, introduced in the House on April 22, 2015 by Rep. Peter Welch, would direct the Secretary of Energy to promote consumer access to electricity usage and pricing data and to encourage development of tools that help households and businesses manage energy use. It amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to add "consumer energy information" programs as an eligible category for state energy plans. The bill also requires the Secretary, within 180 days of enactment and after consulting regulators, utilities, consumer and privacy groups, and industry representatives, to issue voluntary guidelines for how utilities should share "retail electric energy information" with consumers—covering timeliness, data formats, security, privacy, and access for multitenant buildings—and to update those guidelines periodically.
The bill affects electric utility customers, utilities, state and local regulators, and third parties that provide energy-management services, by setting non-binding federal guidance on data access, format, and privacy protections. States could voluntarily adopt policies matching the guidelines and seek certification from the Secretary, which would make them eligible for federal assistance; $10 million is authorized for fiscal year 2016 for this purpose.
The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce after introduction and did not receive a vote before the 114th Congress ended, so it did not become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Access to Consumer Energy Information Act or the E-Access Act
Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to encourage and support the adoption of policies that allow electricity consumers access to their own electricity data.
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to authorize state energy conservation plans to include programs that: (1) enhance consumer access to, and understanding of, energy usage and price information, including consumers' own residential and commercial electricity information; and (2) allow for development and adoption of innovative products and services to assist consumers in managing energy consumption and expenditures.
Directs the Secretary to issue voluntary guidelines, meeting specified criteria, which establish model standards to implement retail electric energy information access in states.
Authorizes states to submit to the Secretary a description of their data sharing policies regarding consumer access to electric energy information for DOE certification that they meet such voluntary guidelines.
Directs the Secretary, subject to appropriations, to make federal funds available to assist any DOE-certified state to implement its energy conservation plan.
Timeline
24 Apr 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 1980 do?
- The E-Access Act, introduced in the House on April 22, 2015 by Rep. Peter Welch, would direct the Secretary of Energy to promote consumer access to electricity usage and pricing data and to encourage development of tools that help households and businesses manage energy use. It amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to add "consumer energy information" programs as an eligible category for state energy plans. The bill also requires the Secretary, within 180 days of enactment and after consulting regulators, utilities, consumer and privacy groups, and industry representatives, to issue voluntary guidelines for how utilities should share "retail electric energy information" with consumers—covering timeliness, data formats, security, privacy, and access for multitenant buildings—and to update those guidelines periodically. The bill affects electric utility customers, utilities, state and local regulators, and third parties that provide energy-management services, by setting non-binding federal guidance on data access, format, and privacy protections. States could voluntarily adopt policies matching the guidelines and seek certification from the Secretary, which would make them eligible for federal assistance; $10 million is authorized for fiscal year 2016 for this purpose. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce after introduction and did not receive a vote before the 114th Congress ended, so it did not become law.
- Has H.R. 1980 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 1980. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 1980?
- H.R. 1980 was sponsored by Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large] (D-VT), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 1980?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power. (24 Apr 2015).
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