This Privacy Policy governs the collection, use and treatment of personally identifiable information (“PII”) from users of the NextGen (“NextGen”) Online Headquarters Website (“NextGen Online HQ”). This Privacy Policy is solely for that specific website and may be changed without prior notice. Any such changes will be posted on the NextGen Online HQ as soon as reasonably possible, but in no event more than 30 days after the effective date of such changes.

1. Information that users voluntarily provide. Individuals who register as users of the NextGen Online HQ and/or participate in the policy or research initiatives contained within the NextGen Online HQ provide the following information to NextGen:

• Basic PII, including: the user’s name, address, email address, zip code, website, title, organization affiliation and issue interests;
• Information about the user’s computer hardware and software, including: a user’s IP address, browser type, domain names, access times and referring web site addresses.

It is an individual’s choice whether to register as a user of the NextGen Online HQ.  However, if an individual chooses not to register, he/she will not be able to access  the policy and research initiatives or use certain other features of the NextGen Online HQ.

2. How information that users provide is used. The initiatives, tools and other elements of the NextGen Online HQ have been developed with, or on behalf of, NextGen. If, at the time of registration, a user “opts-in” to receive communications or to access initiatives, tools or other elements of the NextGen Online HQ, NextGen will use the PII provided for the following purposes:

• To operate the NextGen Online HQ website and to bring to the user’s attention research, policy and educational news and information about advanced and next-generation energy and technologies and related topics;
• To both maintain the quality of service provided by the NextGen Online HQ and to provide general statistics regarding its use.

3. Server Side Technologies. The NextGen Online HQ may use server side technologies to collect additional non-identifiable information from users. These technologies include small pieces of code placed on a web page to monitor the behavior of, and collect non-identifiable data about, visitors viewing a webpage. For instance, these technologies can be used to count the number of visitors to a particular webpage. Server side technologies may be used on the NextGen Online HQ, from time to time, for this and other purposes.

A user can set his/her browser to notify that user before accepting any code from the server (“cookie”) or to disable cookies altogether. Users should contact their software providers if they have questions about how to do this. If a user disables or rejects cookies, he/she may not be able to access certain portions of the NextGen Online HQ.

4. In what cases a user’s PII be shared? If, at the time of registration, a user “opts-in” to receive communications or have access to specific tools or features of the NextGen Online HQ, NextGen and the website host will share or disclose that PII only where NextGen or the website host is required to do so in order to comply with applicable law, a subpoena, warrant or other legal process. In the event that all or substantially all assets of NextGen are transferred or sold, users’ PIIs will not be transferred to the acquiring party.

5. Information users can access. If a user would like to access, review, correct or update his/her PII, he/she should contact the website host at: webmaster@nextgenenergy.org.

6. Opt-out. You may choose to opt-out of the NextGen Online HQ system at any time. You may exercise this option by contacting: webmaster@nextgenenergy.org.

7. Children. NextGen and the website host do not knowingly direct information to, or solicit information from, people less than 18 years of age. If a user is the parent of a child under the age of 18 who has used the NextGen Online HQ, the user may contact the website host and that child’s PII will be deleted as soon as is reasonably possible.

8. Other Websites. The NextGen Online HQ may contain links to other outside websites operated by third parties. If a user accesses other websites through a link on the NextGen Online HQ, that user should take a few minutes and familiarize himself/herself with the terms of use and privacy policy of each such site visited. NextGen and the website host are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of linked.

9. Security. NextGen and the website host take the security of users’ PIIs very seriously. The NextGen Online HQ is operated with a secure data network protected by firewall and password protection systems. Only authorized individuals have access to PIIs. Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed secure. As a result, while NextGen and the website host strive to protect users’ PIIs by following generally accepted industry standards, we cannot guarantee the security of systems that are connected to the Internet nor can we guarantee the security of information transmitted over the Internet.

10. Changes to the Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy may be updated and changed. The website host will notify users about significant changes in the way PII is treated by sending a notice to the primary email address specified in each user’s PII or by placing a prominent notice on the NextGen Online HQ website.

11. Contact Us. NextGen welcomes comments regarding this Privacy Policy. Users with any questions or concerns, please contact: webmaster@nextgenenergy.org.

Updated – May 1, 2007