§16471 Consumer privacy and unfair trade practices

Summary

The Federal Trade Commission can make rules to protect electric customers’ private information collected when electricity is sold or delivered. The Commission can also ban switching a customer’s utility unless the customer gives clear permission or the proper State regulator approves. It can ban selling goods or services to a customer unless a law or the customer allows it. The Commission must follow section 553 of title 5 when making these rules. If a State’s rules give equal or better protection, the State rules apply there instead of the Commission’s rules. State regulatory authority — the state agency that oversees utilities. Electric consumer — someone who gets electric service. Electric utility — a company that sells or delivers electric power.