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Bill

SB 500

Energy: usage data.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Henry Stern

SB 500 requires California energy utilities to provide greater consumer access to usage data and enables authorized third-party access, effective immediately upon Governor's signature.

Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 765, Statutes of 2025.
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Bill Summary · SB 500

Legislative bill overview

SB 500 establishes new requirements for how energy utilities in California must provide usage data to consumers and third parties. The bill, sponsored by Senator Henry Stern, was signed into law in October 2025 and became Chapter 765 of the 2025 Statutes. It modifies existing frameworks around consumer access to their own energy consumption information and potentially authorizes sharing with authorized third parties.

Why is this important

Energy usage data is increasingly valuable for consumers trying to understand their bills, reduce consumption, and make informed decisions about efficiency investments. Access to this data also enables third-party services (contractors, energy auditors, software platforms) to help consumers optimize usage. Clear standards around data availability and security can either facilitate beneficial innovation or, if poorly designed, create privacy risks or competitive disadvantages for utilities.

Potential points of contention

  • Data privacy and security standards – The bill may not specify sufficient cybersecurity requirements, potentially exposing consumer information to breaches or unauthorized access by third parties
  • Utility compliance costs – Mandating new data infrastructure, APIs, or reporting systems could impose significant implementation expenses that utilities pass to ratepayers
  • Third-party access scope – Defining which entities qualify for data access and under what conditions involves balancing consumer choice against privacy protection and avoiding data monopolization by large tech companies

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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