The Smart Meter Data Privacy Protection Act (H.R. 10284) is a proposed law introduced on September 3, 2026, by Representative Josh Riley (D-NY) and co-sponsored by Representative Mike Kennedy (R-UT). The bill aims to protect consumers' electricity usage data collected by smart meters. It prohibits certain state-regulated electric utilities from using, selling, or sharing this data for commercial purposes unless it's necessary for specific operational functions like billing, outage management, grid reliability, regulatory compliance, or customer-approved programs. Utilities are required to submit annual reports to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) detailing their data collection and usage practices. If a utility violates these rules, it must credit affected customers' bills with three times the revenue earned from the improper use, and it cannot pass these costs onto consumers. The FTC is empowered to enforce these regulations and establish data security and retention standards. Additionally, state attorneys general can take legal action to protect residents, and the bill allows states to implement stronger privacy protections if they choose.
Supporters of the Smart Meter Data Privacy Protection Act commend its efforts to enhance consumer privacy by restricting the commercial use of personal electricity consumption data. They highlight the bill's bipartisan sponsorship as a positive step toward safeguarding sensitive information. The requirement for utilities to report data practices to the FTC and the establishment of penalties for violations are seen as strong measures to ensure compliance and protect consumer rights. Additionally, the bill's provision allowing states to enact stronger privacy laws is viewed favorably, as it empowers local governments to provide even greater protections for their residents.
Critics of the Smart Meter Data Privacy Protection Act express concerns that the bill's restrictions could hinder innovation and the development of new services that rely on smart meter data. They argue that limiting the use of this data may prevent utilities and third-party companies from offering energy efficiency programs and other beneficial services to consumers. Some also worry that the enforcement mechanisms, such as the requirement for utilities to credit customers' bills for violations, could lead to increased operational costs for utilities, which might ultimately be passed on to consumers in other ways. Additionally, there is apprehension that the bill's focus on state-regulated utilities not wholly owned by U.S. persons may create inconsistencies in data privacy protections across different regions.
The analysis of H.R. 10284, the Smart Meter Data Privacy Protection Act, reveals no direct industry overlaps between the bill's subject matter and the sponsor Josh Riley's top donor industries. The primary donor industry is Health Professionals, contributing a substantial $120 million, followed by the Retired sector at $37.5 million. However, neither of these industries appears to have a direct stake in smart meter data privacy, which primarily concerns energy utilities and technology sectors. Therefore, the potential for conflicts of interest stemming from financial contributions is minimal. Voters should be aware that while large donations can raise questions about influence, in this case, there is no evident link between the sponsors' financial backers and the legislation at hand.
Top industries funding Josh Riley, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
