§16471 Consumer Privacy and Unfair Trade Practices

Summary

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can make rules to protect the privacy of electric customers and stop unfair practices. The FTC may bar switching a customer’s electric service without the customer’s informed consent or approval from the proper State regulatory authority. The FTC may also ban charging customers for goods or services unless a law allows it or the customer agrees. When making rules, the FTC must follow section 553 of title 5. If a State has equal or stronger rules, the State’s rules apply instead of the FTC’s. Terms: “State regulatory authority” = 16 U.S.C. §796(21); “electric consumer” and “electric utility” = 16 U.S.C. §2602.