Aggregated Data Access: The 15/15 Rule in Illinois and Beyond

Tracking and benchmarking the energy use of buildings requires enhanced access to customer energy usage data. To protect customer privacy and ensure data security, many utilities access aggregated data that is compiled from a set of individual customer usage data.

Further, some states have enacted a privacy standard for utilities that helps ensure customer anonymity when energy data is released to third parties without customer consent. Often referred to as a “15/15 Rule,” the privacy standard requires that aggregated data include a minimum of 15 customers with no one customer’s load exceeding 15 percent of the group’s energy consumption.

However, the rule varies from state to state. This fact sheet will help regulatory attorneys and others understand the definitions and differences.