“E-Access” Act would improve consumers’ access to electricity usage information

Washington (April 22, 2015) –Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, introduced legislation today to empower consumers with information about their own energy use. The Access to Consumer Energy Information (E-Access) Act would spur innovation in energy efficiency by making information on electricity prices and consumption available for households and businesses.

“For American consumers, increasing access to information means decreasing energy use,” said Senator Markey. “The E-Access Act empowers American consumers with knowledge about how they use electricity, so they can make decisions that save money and kilowatts at the same time. From odometers to thermometers, Massachusetts families and businesses make smarter, better choices with access to more information.”

The Access to Consumer Energy Information (E-Access) Act would incentivize states and utilities to adopt policies that ensure consumers have timely access to electricity usage information. This proposal builds on and broadens the efforts that some states and utilities have already taken to make electricity usage information available to consumers.

The bill requires the Department of Energy to expand access to the State Energy Program to new state-led efforts at making consumer energy information more easily available. It also requires the department to issue model standards for electricity usage information programs and to assist eligible states in implementing such programs.

A copy of the E-Access Act can be found HERE. A summary of the legislation can be found HERE.

The legislation is supported by the Alliance to Save Energy, Digital Energy and Sustainability Solutions Campaign, Information Technology Industry Council, Schneider Electric, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, EMC Corp, Environmental Defense Fund, EnerNOC, and Home Performance Coalition.

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