SCOPE: This Privacy Policy applies to all BWL departments, employees, contractors, and third-party vendors that collect, use, process, record, store, transfer, disclose, or delete BWL Confidential Personal Information.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this Privacy Policy is to establish guidelines for collection processing, storage, transfer, disclosure, deletion, safeguarding and use of confidential personal data (defined below) at the Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL).
POLICY: See below which begins with “Definitions”
DEFINITIONS:
“Confidential Personal Information” means Customer Information, Personal Information and Protected Health Information as defined below.
“Customer Information” means customer-specific information received and stored by the BWL for purposes of participating in utility services or programs (bill payment assistance, shutoff protection, renewable energy, demand-side management, load management or energy efficiency) including payment data, credit history, driver’s license or state ID numbers, social security number, birthdate, and customer’s Consumption Data.
“Consumption Data” means customer-specific BWL utility usage data, including, but not limited to customer-specific kW, kWh, voltage, kvar, power factor, ccf, MLBS, temperature, Ton-Hours, and other consumption data stored in the BWL’s systems.
"Personal Information" (PI) means information that, when used alone or combined with other personal or identifying information, can be used to distinguish or derive the identity of an employee or customer such as name, address, social security number, or date of birth.
“Protected Health Information (PHI)” means health data created, received, stored, or transmitted by the BWL, as a covered entity, or its business associates, in relation to a person’s state of health, the provision of healthcare, or payment for healthcare services.
Collection and Usage:
BWL respects the privacy of its employees and customers and takes its responsibility regarding the security of Confidential Personal Information seriously. The release or loss of Confidential Personal Information can result in harm to individuals, including identity theft or other fraudulent use of the information. Because BWL employees, departments, agents, and contractors may have access to Confidential Personal Information, adherence to BWL security and safeguarding procedures is critical.
The BWL uses commercially reasonable administrative, technical, contractual, and physical security measures to ensure the integrity of its information systems and to protect Confidential Personal Information. Such protection measures include an enterprise security program based upon industry standard frameworks, security awareness for employees, a dedicated team to detect and respond to threats, and collaboration with peers and state and federal partners.
In some instances, the BWL may be required to disclose certain Confidential Personal Information in accordance with Customer authorization or when required by law (which includes law enforcement requests supported by warrants or court orders that specifically name the Customer, and judicially enforceable subpoenas). Disclosure will be reasonably limited to that authorized by law or reasonably necessary to that required to fulfill the request. The BWL will not sell Confidential Personal Information to a third party.
Examples of scenarios where the BWL collects Confidential Personal Information, include, but are not limited to:
Customer Information that allows the BWL and its customer to enter into a utility service relationship.
Consumption Data such as kW, kWh, voltage, kvar, power factor, ccf, MLBS, temperature, Ton-Hours and other related data.
Personal Information and Protected Health Information is collected from BWL employees and temporary employees for employment purposes, benefits associated with employment, or pursuant to a contractual employment relationship.
Requests to Release Information
All Privacy issues and resolutions are to be addressed through the BWL Privacy Officer.
Employees and customers may request that your Confidential Personal Information be released to you or a third party of your choice by written consent. The BWL is not responsible for a third party's unauthorized disclosure or use of Confidential Personal Information that you authorize the BWL to release. The following method may be used to make these requests:
In Writing: Lansing Board of Water & Light
Attn: BWL Privacy Officer
Privacy Disclosure Request
PO Box 13007
Lansing, MI 48901
Retention and Disposition
The BWL will keep Confidential Personal Information for as long as necessary consistent with the legitimate purpose for which it was originally collected and in accordance with the BWL’s Record Retention Policies.
Visiting BWL’s Website and Links
The BWL does not collect Personal Information about users who visit the BWL’s website, unless the user chooses to provide such information.
All BWL computer systems are subject to monitoring to assure proper functioning of the systems, to provide security for the computer system operations and information, to prevent unauthorized use, and to deter and investigate unauthorized intrusions and violations of the law.
The BWL provides links to other organizations through its website. These links are provided for additional information as a service to its customers. In providing these links, the BWL does not endorse the content, products, services or viewpoints expressed by external sites. Once a user leaves the BWL's website and links to an external site, the BWL's Privacy Policy no longer applies and users will be subject to the new site's policy. The BWL does not supervise or regularly review these linked sites. The BWL specifically disavows any responsibility for what a user may find on another site.
The BWL provides links to the following types of organizations:
Governmental Units: The BWL provides links to other state and local governmental units that provide additional services and information that users of the BWL's website may find of interest.
Private Organizations: The BWL provides links to private organizations if these organizations offer services that complement information or services offered by the BWL. The BWL does not favor one organization over another. The determination of whether to establish links to a private organization's website is made on a case-by-case basis.
Accessibility
The BWL recognizes the importance of making its website information available to the largest possible audience and has attempted to design its website to be accessible by everyone. Efforts have been made to ensure compatibility with common technologies utilized by the adaptive community. The BWL will continue to test future releases of the website and remains committed to maintaining its compliance and serving the largest possible audience for the website. See full accessibility notice here.
Approved: 6/4/2026