1. Who We Are
Grid Authority ("Grid Authority," "we," "us," or "our") is an energy education and program enrollment company operated by Kynect Digital LLC, headquartered in Houston, Texas. We operate the website thegridauthority.com and its subdomains, including shield.thegridauthority.com (collectively, the "Site").
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you visit our Site, submit an inquiry, or participate in any Grid Authority program.
By using our Site or submitting your information, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.
2. Information We Collect
We collect information in several ways:
Information You Provide Directly:
- Name and contact information (first name, last name, phone number, email address)
- Property information (home address, city, ZIP code)
- Program eligibility information (responses to qualification questions)
- Any other information you choose to submit through our forms or communications
Information Collected Automatically:
- IP address and approximate geographic location
- Browser type and version
- Device type and operating system
- Pages visited, time on page, and referral source
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 7)
Information from Third Parties:
- If you are referred to us through a partner or affiliate, we may receive information about the referral source
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- Program Eligibility: To determine whether your home may qualify for the S.H.I.E.L.D.™ program and related energy programs
- Communication: To contact you regarding your inquiry, program eligibility status, or appointment scheduling
- Automated Follow-Up: To send SMS, email, and voicemail communications related to your inquiry and program participation. You may opt out of these communications at any time
- Program Administration: To process enrollments, coordinate with energy technology partners, and manage program participation
- Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and CenterPoint Energy program requirements
- Site Improvement: To analyze Site usage and improve our content, services, and user experience
- Marketing: With your consent or as otherwise permitted by law, to send you information about Grid Authority programs and energy education resources
4. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:
- Energy Technology Partners: When you qualify for and are referred into the S.H.I.E.L.D.™ program, your information is shared with our energy technology and installation partners to facilitate program delivery and CenterPoint Energy approval
- Retail Electric Providers: If you request a rate comparison, your information may be shared with retail electric providers (such as Reliant, Green Mountain, or similar REPs) as a referral
- Service Providers: We share information with vendors who assist us in operating our Site, running our CRM (GoHighLevel), sending communications, and providing related services. These vendors are contractually bound to protect your information
- CenterPoint Energy: To process S.H.I.E.L.D.™ program applications, relevant property and eligibility information is submitted to CenterPoint Energy as required by the program
- Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, court order, or regulatory authority
- Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction
5. SMS and Text Message Communications
By submitting your phone number through any Grid Authority form, you consent to receive SMS text messages from Grid Authority and its agents, including OleSparky (our automated voice and messaging agent), regarding your program inquiry, eligibility status, appointment reminders, and related communications.
Message frequency varies. Standard message and data rates may apply.
To opt out: Reply STOP to any text message at any time. After opting out, you will receive one final confirmation message and no further texts.
For help: Reply HELP or contact us at [email protected].
Opting out of SMS does not affect your program participation status.
6. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements
- Opt-Out of Marketing: Opt out of marketing communications at any time by replying STOP to texts, clicking "unsubscribe" in emails, or contacting us directly
- Do Not Sell: We do not sell your personal information. If you wish to confirm this or make a do-not-sell request, contact us at the address below
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at: [email protected]
7. Cookies and Tracking
Our Site uses cookies and similar technologies to operate correctly, analyze usage, and support marketing activities. Types of cookies we use include:
- Essential Cookies: Required for the Site to function (form submission, session management)
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use the Site (e.g., Google Analytics)
- Marketing Cookies: Used to track conversions and serve relevant advertising
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect Site functionality.
8. Data Security
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
If you believe your information has been compromised, contact us immediately at [email protected].
9. Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Program enrollment records may be retained for the duration of your program participation and for a reasonable period thereafter.
10. Children's Privacy
Our Site and services are intended for adults 18 years of age and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 18. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a minor, contact us and we will delete it promptly.
11. Third-Party Links
Our Site may contain links to third-party websites, including retail electric providers and program partners. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. Material changes will be communicated via the Site or direct notification where required by law. Your continued use of the Site after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, contact us: