Department of Energy, Federal Smart Grid Task Force Release Smart Grid Voluntary Code of Conduct to Address Data Privacy Concerns
The Department of Energy and the Federal Smart Grid Task Force released the final version of a Voluntary Code of Conduct (VCC) for smart grid data privacy on Monday, several hours after President Obama heralded the release of the VCC as part of his speech on privacy and cybersecurity at the Federal Trade Commission. The VCC is the result of a multi-year effort by the Department of Energy and the Federal Smart Grid Task Force to collaborate with industry stakeholders to develop a voluntary code of conduct that addresses smart grid privacy concerns. The VCC does not supersede any federal, state, or local laws or regulations. Instead, it serves as a set of “high level principles of conduct for both utilities and third parties.” The VCC does, however, contemplate that entities could adopt the VCC with “limited exceptions” where required by other laws or regulations.
