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APD accessing Austin Energy customers' accounts
11/7/2007 12:52 PM
By: Reagan Hackleman
Austin Energy may not be the only city agency reading your meter every month.
Austin police might be taking a look too because of what's called the Utility Database Confidentiality agreement. It allows Austin police to access any information in a utility account without first obtaining approval from a judge.
"We have provided information to the Austin Police Department as a point of courtesy and state law allows us to do that," Austin Energy spokesperson Ed Clark said.
Utility account information is public record accessible by anyone unless a customer fills out a confidentiality form, but records are still made available to any government entity.
Police can access customers' information from their own computers.
Austin Energy, a public company, said nationally sharing information with law enforcement is common among utility companies.
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Public information
Police can access Austin Energy customers' accounts to monitor how much electricity they're using.
"They have full access to the database and the question is, how are they using it?" Debbie Russell with the American Civil Liberties Union said.
Russell heard that APD uses the database to detect large spikes in energy associated with growing marijuana.
"They could have an 85-year-old lady growing African violets or something completely different, medical machines. It's a waste of resources," Russell said.
The Austin Police Department would not comment on the record. They say they are waiting for a ruling by the attorney general about just how much information they have to disclose.
APD did release a statement, saying, "Every case must go through the legal process where all tactics are reviewed. APD is confident that the measures it utilizes follow the law.”
Either way, Austin police legally have the right to know how much energy you're using.
11/7/2007 12:52 PM
By: Reagan Hackleman
Austin Energy may not be the only city agency reading your meter every month.
Austin police might be taking a look too because of what's called the Utility Database Confidentiality agreement. It allows Austin police to access any information in a utility account without first obtaining approval from a judge.
"We have provided information to the Austin Police Department as a point of courtesy and state law allows us to do that," Austin Energy spokesperson Ed Clark said.
Utility account information is public record accessible by anyone unless a customer fills out a confidentiality form, but records are still made available to any government entity.
Police can access customers' information from their own computers.
Austin Energy, a public company, said nationally sharing information with law enforcement is common among utility companies.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Public information
Police can access Austin Energy customers' accounts to monitor how much electricity they're using.
"They have full access to the database and the question is, how are they using it?" Debbie Russell with the American Civil Liberties Union said.
Russell heard that APD uses the database to detect large spikes in energy associated with growing marijuana.
"They could have an 85-year-old lady growing African violets or something completely different, medical machines. It's a waste of resources," Russell said.
The Austin Police Department would not comment on the record. They say they are waiting for a ruling by the attorney general about just how much information they have to disclose.
APD did release a statement, saying, "Every case must go through the legal process where all tactics are reviewed. APD is confident that the measures it utilizes follow the law.”
Either way, Austin police legally have the right to know how much energy you're using.
I ran 1400 watts in a 1 bdrm apartment and no one ever came knocking on my door, but it was a one time deal. I've since moved somewhere more suitable to my hobby 
