[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 12, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62514-62515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-25544]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Notice of Availability of Report on Data Access and Privacy 
Issues Related to Smart Grid Technologies

AGENCY: Office of the General Counsel, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Through this notice, the Department of Energy (DOE) announces 
the availability of its report entitled, ``Data Access and Privacy 
Issues Related to Smart Grid Technologies.'' In this report, DOE 
discusses existing trends, consensus, and potential best practices 
emerging as States use or adapt existing legal regimes to accommodate 
the deployment of Smart Grid technologies. DOE also provides a 
comprehensive summary of the comments received in response to a Request 
for Information and during a public meeting conducted during the 
preparation of the report. This report responds to recommendations for 
DOE set forth in the National Broadband Plan authored by the Federal 
Communications Commission at the direction of Congress.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the report, comments received and the transcript 
of the public meeting are available for public inspection at the U.S. 
Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Room 1G-051, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Public inspection can be 
conducted between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. These documents can also be accessed online at http://www.gc.energy.gov/1592.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maureen C. McLaughlin, Senior Legal 
Advisor to the General Counsel, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of 
the General Counsel, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20585-0121. Tel.: (202) 586-5281. E-mail: 
[email protected].
    For Media Inquiries, you may contact Jen Stutsman at (202) 586-
4940. E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 11, 2010, DOE published a Request for 
Information (RFI) seeking comments and information from interested 
parties to assist DOE in understanding current and potential practices 
and policies for the states and other entities to empower consumers 
(and perhaps others) through access to detailed energy information in 
electronic form--including real-time information from smart meters, 
historical consumption data, and pricing and billing information. 75 FR 
26203. The RFI asked interested parties, including industry, consumer 
groups and state governments, to report on state efforts to enact Smart 
Grid privacy and data collection policies. The RFI also sought input 
regarding individual electric utility practices and policies regarding 
data access and collection; third party access to detailed energy 
information; and the role of the consumer in balancing the benefits of 
access and privacy. Finally, the RFI sought comment on what policies 
and practices should guide policymakers in determining who can access 
consumers' energy information and under what conditions. To gather 
additional data, DOE also published a notice in the Federal Register 
announcing a public meeting to discuss the issues presented in the RFI. 
75 FR 33611 (June 14, 2010). The public meeting, held on June 29, 2010, 
provided another forum in which interested parties could provide 
comments and information, as well as

[[Page 62515]]

engage in constructive dialogue with other interested parties.
    In developing its report entitled, ``Data Access and Privacy Issues 
Related to Smart Grid Technologies,'' DOE considered all of the 
comments and information received during the public comment process, as 
well as other information pertaining to issues of access to and privacy 
protections for consumer energy usage data. In this report, DOE 
discusses the results of DOE's efforts to collect and analyze diverse 
perspectives on the current state of data security and consumer privacy 
issues associated with the ongoing development and deployment of Smart 
Grid technologies. DOE also reviews and summarizes the public comments 
received in response to the RFI and during the public meeting that 
provide support for the recommendations and observations offered in the 
report.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 5, 2010.
Scott Blake Harris,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2010-25544 Filed 10-8-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P