30 V.S.A. § ___ § 63
Multiunit buildings; access to aggregated data
Operative Text
(a) Obligation; aggregation and release of data. On request of the owner of a multiunit building or the owner’s designated agent, each distribution company and energy efficiency utility shall aggregate monthly energy usage data in its possession for the unit holders in the building and release the aggregated data to the owner or agent. The aggregated data shall be anonymized. (1) Under this section, the obligation to aggregate and release data shall accrue when the owner or agent: (A) Certifies that the request is made for the purpose of benchmarking or preparing an energy label for the building. (B) With respect to a multiunit building that has at least four unit holders, provides documentation certifying that, at least 14 days prior to submission of the request, each unit holder was notified that the energy usage data of the holder was to be requested and that this notice gave each unit holder an opportunity to opt out of the energy use aggregation. The owner or agent shall identify to the distribution company or energy efficiency utility requesting the data each unit holder that opted out. (C) With respect to a multiunit building that has fewer than four unit holders, provides an energy usage data release authorization from each unit holder. (2) A unit holder may authorize release of the holder’s energy usage data by signature on a release authorization form or clause in a lease signed by the unit holder. The provisions of 9 V.S.A. § 276 (recognition of electronic records and signatures) shall apply to release authorization forms under this subsection. (3) After consultation with the Commercial Working Group, the Commissioner of Public Service shall prescribe forms for requests and release authorizations under this subsection. The request form shall include the required certification. (b) Response period. A distribution company or energy efficiency utility shall release the aggregated energy use data to the building owner or designated agent within 30 days of its receipt of a request that meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section. (1) The aggregation shall exclude energy usage data for each unit holder who opted out or, in the case of a multiunit building with fewer than four unit holders, each unit holder for which a signed release authorization was not received. (2) A distribution company may refer a complete request under subsection (a) of this section to an energy efficiency utility that possesses the requisite data, unless the data is to be used for a benchmarking program to be conducted by the company. (Added 2019, No. 62, § 12.)
Under 30 V.S.A. ch. 2 § 63, Vermont distribution companies and energy efficiency utilities are required to compile and share anonymized, aggregated monthly energy usage data for multiunit buildings when a building owner or designated agent makes a qualifying request. The obligation to release data is triggered only after the owner meets specific conditions—such as certifying the data will be used for benchmarking or energy labeling, notifying tenants in advance, and honoring any opt-out requests. Buildings with fewer than four units require a signed release authorization from each tenant rather than the opt-out notification process, and the utility must respond within 30 days of receiving a complete request.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers seeking energy usage data under 30 V.S.A. ch. 2 § 63 generally use the forms prescribed by the Commissioner of Public Service and certify that the data will be used for benchmarking or energy labeling purposes. For buildings with four or more units, compliant operators typically provide written notice to each tenant at least 14 days before submitting the request, document that notice, and report to the utility which tenants opted out so their data is excluded from the aggregation. For smaller buildings with fewer than four units, operators generally collect a signed release authorization from each tenant before submitting the request.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 30 V.S.A. ch. 2 § 63, tenants in multiunit buildings have the right to be notified before their energy usage data is included in an aggregated request, and those in buildings with four or more units have the right to opt out of that data sharing. Tenants in smaller buildings of fewer than four units must affirmatively authorize the release of their data through a signed form or a lease clause before any data is shared. Tenants who believe their rights under this provision were not respected may consider contacting Vermont's Department of Public Service or a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.