Illinois Continues Clean Energy Hot Streak with Cutting-Edge Energy Data Standards

(CHICAGO – July 26, 2017) The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) today finalized the “Open Data Access Framework,” developed by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) to cut pollution and help customers save energy and money. The framework is made up of guidelines for securely authorizing and sharing energy-use data. EDF and CUB worked with the utilities and other parties to reach agreement in the case, which has given Illinoisans access to their energy data and the potential to control their energy use and electricity bills.

“The U.S. now has unprecedented amounts of energy-use data, and Illinois is blazing the trail on how we securely collect, protect, and share that data. By putting in place the Open Data Access Framework, Illinois is the first state to set clear energy-data guidelines, empowering people to better understand and manage their energy use. After three years of working out the details, we’re excited to see how innovators will use the data to create new tools and services that lower electricity bills and cut pollution.”

• Christie Hicks, Manager, Clean Energy Regulatory Implementation

“As a consumer watchdog, CUB is focused on developing smart grid policies that ultimately help people cut their electric bills, and the Open Data Access Framework is a big step toward that goal. Energy-usage data is key to maximizing consumer benefits from smart meters, and with these guidelines Illinois is a national leader in jumpstarting clean energy businesses and sparking innovative tools that help electric customers save money. We thank the ICC, EDF and ComEd for working together over the last three years to establish sound data-sharing guidelines that will encourage innovation while protecting a customer’s privacy.”

• David Kolata, Executive Director, Citizens Utility Board