Lawmakers weigh centralized energy data platform: governance, costs and a pending RFP split panel of supporters and skeptics

Lawmakers spent two sessions on the proposed statewide multi‑use online energy data platform: Representative Kat McGee opened a hearing on HB 681, which would update statute to reflect a governance council model, and later Representative Lex Berezny introduced HB 723, a repeal petition that would remove the statutory requirement for the platform.

Representative McGee told the committee the platform’s technical and governance requirements were largely complete and that the governance council — composed of utilities, the Department of Energy (DOE), the Consumer Advocate and other stakeholders — had drafted a request for proposals (RFP) for vendors. She said the council is poised to issue an RFP that will produce firm build costs needed to complete a cost/benefit analysis.

Consumer Advocate Don Kreese and others argued the platform could help residents and municipalities by enabling third‑party services and by producing a single, standardized source of usage data. Kreese described the governance council as having worked productively in the past and stressed that his office would object if the DOE or…