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Utility Files Detail Re: Governance of Data Access and Performance Data Availability
On May 29, 2026 SMECO filed a response to the Maryland PSC’s order that directed SMECO to provide additional information describing the governance of data access, including criteria for stakeholder eligibility, the specific interval and performance data to be made available, and the frequency at which such data will be updated).
SMECO notes the following in its response:
“At this time, SMECO is capable of providing the following customer-member DER related information:
- First and Last Name or Company Name of Account Holder
- Utility Account Number
- Premises Address 4. Email Address (if available and in the form provided by the customer-member)
- Telephone Number (if available and in the form provided by the customer member)
- DER Type (e.g., solar, battery, thermostat)
- Size of DER System (if applicable) Before disclosing any of the above-listed customer-member DER-related information, SMECO would appreciate confirmation from the Commission as to the specific list of customer member information that should be disclosed to the authorized parties.”
SMECO also specifically requests that “the Commission grant its customer-members such an opt-out right, as customer-members should not be subject to forced disclosure of personal information, if they are uncomfortable with such disclosure. If the Commission grants an opt-out right to customer-members, SMECO will communicate such a right to its customer-members through multiple communication channels and take appropriate steps to ensure that the posted file(s) on the SFTP platform does(do) not include information for customer-members that have opted-out.”
In its response SMECO also notes that it “will establish a public-facing web page on the Cooperative’s website at www.smeco.coop to support dissemination of information related to distributed energy resources (“DERs”) located in its Maryland electric service territory. The web page will include form fields for eligible third parties to request unique logon credentials that will permit access to customer-member DER-related information. All customer-member DER-related information will be hosted behind the Cooperative’s secure firewall on a SMECO-managed SFTP server utilizing Web Methods Managed File Transfer (“webMethods MFT”).”
As noted above, on May 6, 2026, the “Public Service Commission of Maryland (the “Commission”) issued Order 92398 in Docket 9778.
In relevant part to this compliance submission, the Commission stated as follows: “The Commission supports SMECO’s Secure File Transfer Protocol site, provided that appropriate data access safeguards are in place. The Commission therefore directs SMECO to file additional information detailing how data access will be governed, including stakeholder eligibility (with consideration for State agencies and third parties), what interval and performance data will be made available, and how frequently the data will be updated. Data should be provided in a machine-readable format, if possible. SMECO is directed to include in this filing any concerns with providing machine-readable data, if applicable. The Commission directs this information to be filed within 30 days of the issuance of this Order.”

