Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011
The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 was published on 27 September 2011.
The legislative proposals provide for a number of amendments to energy legislation. The proposals will ensure a robust legal framework for the placing of energy efficiency obligations on energy suppliers and distributors and will further strengthen a number of elements of electricity and gas legislation.
The main provisions of the Bill are to:-
(a) Restate and expand energy efficiency provisions currently set out in secondary legislation in order to provide a legal framework in primary legislation for the placing of energy efficiency obligations on energy suppliers and distributors,
(b) Amend provisions of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, as amended, in regard to the Commission for Energy Regulation’s (CER) role relating to electrical, gas and LPG safety to provide for:
· the appointment of Electrical Investigation Officers with powers of investigation,
· the enhancement of powers of Gas Safety Officers, and
· the extension of gas safety provisions to liquid petroleum gas (LPG)
(c) Amend the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995 relating to the theft of gas and electricity and to provide a legal basis for Deemed Contracts for the supply of electricity or gas,
(d) Restate superannuation provisions relating to certain former employees of ESB & BGE who transferred to Eirgrid, ESB Networks Ltd and Gaslink Ltd, and
(e) Repeal section 11 of the Electricity (Supply) Act 1927 and section 17(2) of the Gas Act 1976
A copy of the Bill, the Explanatory Memorandum and the Regulatory Impact Assessment which sets out the policy objectives of the Bill, are available at the link below and are also available on the Oireachtas website.
Further information is available from Bernie Comey by telephone at 01 6783131 or by email at Bernie.Comey@dcenr.gov.ie or,
Mel Molloy by telephone at 01 6783135 or by email at Mel.Molloy@dcenr.gov.ie
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
28 Meán Fómhair 2011
Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 - Explanatory Memorandum