Information systems (IS) and information technology (IT), which continue to grow more innovative every year, promise improved communication, services and billing between utilities and customers, better and more reliable service, and greater visibility into the operations of utility grids. Advanced IS/IT systems are critical to ensuring that smart meters and other new technologies work effectively, sync with other systems, and reliably store, analyze, and maintain important data.

These technologies, however, can fail to live up to promises — and that entails a set of risks for utilities and customers, including the possibility of badly botched utility operations. This paper will help regulators consider how best to regulate the clear benefits of the technologies while weighing any potential associated risks by attempting to mimic how a competitive market would handle such technologies in non-monopolies.