This bill aims to enhance the privacy and control of customer energy usage data (CEUD) collected by electric public utilities through advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). It establishes that customers have full ownership and control over their CEUD, which can only be disclosed to authorized third parties with the customer's informed consent. The bill mandates the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create standardized privacy requirements within 90 days of the bill's effective date, ensuring that electric public utilities protect CEUD from unauthorized access and notify customers in case of any data breaches. Additionally, the BPU will require utilities to submit a data access plan that outlines how they will manage CEUD disclosure, access, and privacy.

The bill also stipulates that customers must have real-time access to their CEUD and that utilities must provide sufficient information for customers to give informed consent regarding third-party access to their data. It emphasizes the importance of using CEUD to support the state's clean energy goals and improve the reliability of electricity distribution. The BPU will have 30 days to review and approve the plans submitted by electric public utilities, and the bill clarifies that it does not prevent utilities from using anonymized data for analysis or complying with legal requirements. Overall, the legislation seeks to ensure transparency and security in the handling of customer energy data.