E-Access Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (13 Jun 2023): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
What this bill does
S. 1936, the "E-Access Act" (also called the Access to Consumer Energy Information Act), would direct the Department of Energy to promote consumer access to electric and natural gas usage and billing data. It amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to add, as an eligible category for state energy conservation plans, programs that encourage competition in digital energy management tools and give customers access to their own usage and cost information. The Secretary of Energy would be required to issue, within 180 days, model guidelines covering how utilities should share this data—electronically, in near real-time, using open standards, with privacy and security protections—and how customers can authorize third parties (such as app developers) to receive it. The guidelines would also address fair, nondiscriminatory access to "electric meter app stores" and related software platforms, and would be revisited every three years.
The bill primarily affects electric and gas utilities, their residential and commercial customers, state energy offices and regulators, and third-party companies that develop energy-management software or services. States could voluntarily adopt policies consistent with the federal guidelines and seek certification from the Secretary, which would make them eligible for federal financial assistance; $10 million is authorized for this purpose for fiscal year 2023.
The bill was introduced on June 13, 2023, by Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), with Senator Van Hollen as a cosponsor, and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. It has not received a committee vote or further floor action, and, per the official summary, did not advance during the 118th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
13 Jun 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Common questions
- What does S. 1936 do?
- S. 1936, the "E-Access Act" (also called the Access to Consumer Energy Information Act), would direct the Department of Energy to promote consumer access to electric and natural gas usage and billing data. It amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to add, as an eligible category for state energy conservation plans, programs that encourage competition in digital energy management tools and give customers access to their own usage and cost information. The Secretary of Energy would be required to issue, within 180 days, model guidelines covering how utilities should share this data—electronically, in near real-time, using open standards, with privacy and security protections—and how customers can authorize third parties (such as app developers) to receive it. The guidelines would also address fair, nondiscriminatory access to "electric meter app stores" and related software platforms, and would be revisited every three years. The bill primarily affects electric and gas utilities, their residential and commercial customers, state energy offices and regulators, and third-party companies that develop energy-management software or services. States could voluntarily adopt policies consistent with the federal guidelines and seek certification from the Secretary, which would make them eligible for federal financial assistance; $10 million is authorized for this purpose for fiscal year 2023. The bill was introduced on June 13, 2023, by Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), with Senator Van Hollen as a cosponsor, and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. It has not received a committee vote or further floor action, and, per the official summary, did not advance during the 118th Congress.
- Has S. 1936 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 1936. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 1936?
- S. 1936 was sponsored by Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT] (D-VT), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 1936?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (13 Jun 2023).
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