Texas Staff Proposes Options for Next Steps in Docket on REPs' Sharing of Customer Info. With Third Parties

Staff of the Public Utility Commission of Texas have provided the Commission with two options concerning a proceeding examining the sharing of customer information by Retail Electric Providers (REPs) with third parties (Project 42030).

"Based on the comments provided by parties in this project and the minimal number of complaints received by the Commission relating to the sharing of customer information by a REP, Staff offers the following two options for the Commissioners' consideration as to whether a rulemaking project is warranted to address to the sharing of customer information by a REP," Staff said:

• "Option 1: Staff would add a new Question and Answer to the Commission's website 'Electricity FAQ' that would warn electricity customers that in a competitive marketplace, some REPs may require the customer to release certain private information to others, and that if the customer is unable to find another REP that does not require such a release, they would be encouraged to notify the Commission. Under this option, Staff would not open a rulemaking on this matter at this time but would monitor the number and nature of complaints. If it becomes warranted in the future, Staff could recommend a rulemaking project relating to the sharing of customer information by REPs be opened."

• "Option 2: Staff would open a rulemaking project to address issues involved with the sharing of customer specific information by REPs for a purpose other than providing electric service to the customer."