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This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.


ENERGY EFFICIENCY (COST OF LIVING) IMPROVEMENT AMENDMENT BILL 2015

2015

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

(As presented)

(Minister for the Environment)

Energy Efficiency (Cost of Living) Improvement Amendment Bill 2015



Contents

Page









































2015

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

(As presented)

(Minister for the Environment)

Energy Efficiency (Cost of Living) Improvement Amendment Bill 2015

A Bill for

An Act to amend the Energy Efficiency (Cost of Living) Improvement Act 2012









The Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory enacts as follows:

1 Name of Act

This Act is the Energy Efficiency (Cost of Living) Improvement Amendment Act 2015

.

2 Commencement

(1) This Act (other than sections 4 to 6, 10 to 12, 43 and 44) commences on the day after its notification day.

Note The naming and commencement provisions automatically commence on the notification day (see Legislation Act

, s 75 (1)).

(2) Sections 4 to 6, 10 to 12, 43 and 44 commence on a day fixed by the Minister by written notice.

Note 1 A single day or time may be fixed, or different days or times may be fixed, for the commencement of different provisions (see Legislation Act

, s 77 (1)).

Note 2 If a provision has not commenced within 6 months beginning on the notification day, it automatically commences on the first day after that period (see Legislation Act

, s 79).

3 Legislation amended

This Act amends the Energy Efficiency (Cost of Living) Improvement Act 2012

.

4 Energy savings target

Section 7 (2)

substitute

(2) A determination must be made—

(a) if the determination increases the energy savings target—at least 6 months before the start of the compliance period to which the target relates; and

(b) in any other case—at least 3 months before the start of the compliance period to which the target relates.

5 Priority household target

Section 8 (2)

substitute

(2) A determination must be made—

(a) if the determination increases the priority household target—at least 6 months before the start of the compliance period to which the target relates; and

(b) in any other case—at least 3 months before the start of the compliance period to which the target relates.

6 Section 9

substitute

9 Emissions multiplier

(1) The Minister must determine the number of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas emissions attributed to the consumption in the ACT of 1MWh of electricity (the emissions multiplier) for a compliance period.

(2) In determining the emissions multiplier, the Minister must take into account the condition of, and changes in, the national electricity market.

(3) A determination must be made—

(a) if the determination increases the emissions multiplier—at least 6 months before the start of the compliance period to which the multiplier relates; and

(b) in any other case—at least 3 months before the start of the compliance period to which the multiplier relates.

(4) A determination is a disallowable instrument.

Note A disallowable instrument must be notified, and presented to the Legislative Assembly, under the Legislation Act

.

7 Eligible activities

New section 10 (1A)

insert

(1A) An eligible activity may include an activity undertaken in the Territory under an approved interstate energy efficiency scheme.

Note Approved interstate energy efficiency scheme—see s 10A (1).

8 New section 10A

insert

10A Approval of interstate energy efficiency scheme

(1) The Minister may approve an energy efficiency scheme operating in another jurisdiction for the purposes of this Act (an approved interstate energy efficiency scheme) if satisfied that—

(a) the approval of the scheme would complement, and not detract from, the achievement of the objects of this Act; and

(b) the arrangements for the monitoring and enforcement of compliance with the scheme are adequate.

Note The power to make an instrument includes the power to amend or repeal the instrument. The power to amend or repeal the instrument is exercisable in the same way, and subject the same conditions, as the power to make the instrument (see Legislation Act

, s 46).

(2) An approval is a notifiable instrument.

Note A notifiable instrument must be notified under the Legislation Act

.

9 Meaning of compliance period

New section 12 (d) to (h)

insert

(d) 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016;

(e) 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017;

(f) 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018;

(g) 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019;

(h) 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020.

10 Working out energy savings obligation

Section 13 (2) (b)

omit

factor

substitute

multiplier

11 Section 13 (2), definition of emissions factor

omit

12 Section 13 (2), new definition of emissions multiplier

insert

emissions multiplier means the emissions multiplier determined for the compliance period.

13 New sections 17A and 17B

insert

17A Approved abatement providers

(1) A person, other than a NERL retailer or a contractor engaged by a retailer, may apply to the administrator for approval to undertake an eligible activity as an abatement provider.

Note 1 If a form is approved under s 56 for this provision, the form must be used.

Note 2 A fee may be determined under s 55A for this provision.

(2) The administrator may, in writing, approve the person to undertake a stated eligible activity as an abatement provider (an approved abatement provider), with or without conditions.

(3) The administrator may cancel the approved abatement provider’s approval if the provider fails to comply with the approval or a condition of the approval.

(4) The administrator must keep a register of approved abatement providers.

(5) The register—

(a) must include details of each approved abatement provider; and

(b) may be kept in any form, including electronically, that the administrator decides; and

(c) may be made available to the public.

(6) An approved abatement provider commits an offence if—

(a) the provider’s approval is subject to a condition; and

(b) the provider fails to comply with the condition.

Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units.

17B Approved abatement provider must lodge compliance plan

(1) An approved abatement provider must give a compliance plan for a compliance period to the administrator before undertaking an eligible activity in the period.

Note For how documents may be given, see the Legislation Act

, pt 19.5.

(2) A compliance plan must include the following:

(a) the proposed number of eligible activities to be undertaken by the provider during the compliance period;

(b) how the provider plans to meet the health, safety and environmental requirements relating to eligible activities;

(c) any other information required under an approved code of practice.

Note If a form is approved under s 56 for this provision, the form must be used.

(3) An approved abatement provider commits an offence if the provider does not give a compliance plan to the administrator in accordance with this section.

Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.

(4) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.

14 Approval of acquired abatement factor

Section 18 (1)

omit

another person

substitute

an approved abatement provider or another retailer

15 Compliance with energy savings obligations—retailer energy savings result

Section 20 (9) (b) (iii)

substitute

(iii) for a shortfall in the compliance period 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015—10%;

(iv) for a shortfall in the compliance period 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016—10%;

(v) for a shortfall in the compliance period 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017—10%;

(vi) for a shortfall in the compliance period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018—10%;

(vii) for a shortfall in the compliance period 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019—10%;

(viii) for a shortfall in the compliance period 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020—nil.

16 Compliance with energy savings obligations—tier 2 retailer contribution for shortfall

Section 20B (2) (b) (iii)

substitute

(iii) for a shortfall in the compliance period 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015—10%;

(iv) for a shortfall in the compliance period 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016—10%;

(v) for a shortfall in the compliance period 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017—10%;

(vi) for a shortfall in the compliance period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018—10%;

(vii) for a shortfall in the compliance period 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019—10%;

(viii) for a shortfall in the compliance period 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020—nil.

17 Compliance with priority household obligations—retailer priority household result

Section 21 (8) (b) (iii)

substitute

(iii) for a shortfall in the compliance period 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015—10%;

(iv) for a shortfall in the compliance period 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016—10%;

(v) for a shortfall in the compliance period 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017—10%;

(vi) for a shortfall in the compliance period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018—10%;

(vii) for a shortfall in the compliance period 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019—10%;

(viii) for a shortfall in the compliance period 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020—nil.

18 Penalties for noncompliance

Section 22 (3) and note

substitute

(3) The amount of a shortfall penalty is the amount per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas emissions in the net shortfall determined by the Minister.

Note A shortfall penalty imposed under this Act must be paid to the Territory.

(3A) In determining an amount under subsection (3), the Minister must take into account the objects of this Act.

(3B) The Minister must make a determination at least 3 months before the start of the compliance period to which the shortfall penalty relates.

(3C) A determination is a disallowable instrument.

Note A disallowable instrument must be notified, and presented to the Legislative Assembly, under the Legislation Act

.

19 Administrator’s functions

Section 24 (a)

after

retailers

insert

and approved abatement providers

20 New section 24 (ba)

insert

(ba) approving, with or without conditions, and cancelling the approval of abatement providers;

21 Codes of practice

New section 25 (1) (ba) and (bb)

insert

(ba) the eligibility of approved abatement providers;

(bb) the acquisition of approved abatement factors;

22 Record keeping requirements

New section 26 (1A)

insert

(1A) An approved abatement provider must keep—

(a) the records that are necessary for the administrator to determine whether the provider has complied with any conditions on the approval; and

(b) any records about an eligible activity undertaken by the provider.

23 Power to destroy etc unsafe things

Section 47 (2) (c), except note

substitute

(c) if the authorised person believes on reasonable grounds that an eligible activity by a NERL retailer or approved abatement provider relating to the thing is a reason for the matters mentioned in subsection (1) (a) or (b)—the retailer or provider.

24 Section 47 (7) (c)

substitute

(c) if the authorised person is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the NERL retailer or approved abatement provider is responsible for making the thing unsafe—the retailer or provider.

25 Powers of administrator to address contravention

Section 49A (1)

omit

or the retailer’s agent,

substitute

the retailer’s agent or an approved abatement provider

26 Section 49A (1) (a) and (b)

omit

retailer or agent

substitute

retailer, agent or provider

27 Section 49A (1) (c)

after

retailer

insert

or provider

28 Section 49A (1) (d)

after 1st and 2nd mention of

retailer

insert

or provider

29 Section 49A (1) (d)

after 3rd mention of

retailer

insert

or approved abatement provider

30 Section 49A (1) (e)

after

retailer

insert

or provider

31 Notice before exercising power

Section 49B (3)

after

retailer

insert

or approved abatement provider

32 Section 49B (4) and (5)

substitute

(4) The notice must—

(a) state that the administrator will not make a rectification order unless the administrator is satisfied that it is appropriate to make the order in relation to the NERL retailer or approved abatement provider, because of the relationship between the retailer or provider and the land owner; and

(b) if the administrator is not satisfied that it is appropriate to make the order in relation to the NERL retailer or approved abatement provider, because of the relationship between the retailer or provider and the land owner—tell the retailer or provider that the administrator proposes to take action under section 49A (1) (d).

(5) In this section:

relevant person means a—

(a) NERL retailer or approved abatement provider; and

(b) person on whose land the retailer or provider has carried out an activity.

33 Considerations for deciding under s 49B and s 49C

Section 49D (1)

after

retailer

insert

or approved abatement provider

34 Rectification orders

Section 49E (1)

omit

requiring the retailer

substitute

or approved abatement provider, requiring the retailer or provider

35 Section 49E (2) to (4)

after

retailer

insert

or approved abatement provider

36 Section 49E (6)

after

retailer

insert

or approved abatement provider

37 Restriction of people—public safety

Section 49G (4) (f)

after

retailer

insert

or approved abatement provider

38 Section 49G (7), definition of person

after

representative of a retailer

insert

, or an approved abatement provider

39 New section 55A

insert

55A Determination of fees

(1) The Minister may determine fees for this Act.

Note The Legislation Act

contains provisions about the making of determinations and regulations relating to fees (see pt 6.3)

(2) A determination is a disallowable instrument.

Note A disallowable instrument must be notified, and presented to the Legislative Assembly, under the Legislation Act

.

40 New part 15

insert

Part 15 Transitional—Energy Efficiency (Cost of Living) Improvement Amendment Act 2015

100 Meaning of commencement day—pt 15

In this part:

commencement day means the day the Energy Efficiency (Cost of Living) Improvement Amendment Act 2015, section 18 commences.

101 Penalties for noncompliance

(1) The repealed section continues to apply to a net shortfall in a compliance period ending before 1 January 2016.

(2) In this section:

repealed section means this Act, section 22 (3) as in force immediately before the commencement day.

102 Expiry—pt 15

This part expires 1 year after the commencement day.

Note Transitional provisions are kept in the Act for a limited time. A transitional provision is repealed on its expiry but continues to have effect after its repeal (see Legislation Act

, s 88).

41 Reviewable decisions

Schedule 1, new items 1A and 1B

before item 1, insert

1A
17A (2)
impose condition
approved abatement provider
1B
17A (3)
cancelling an approval in relation to abatement provider
approved abatement provider

42 Dictionary, new definitions

insert

approved abatement provider—see section 17A.

approved interstate energy efficiency scheme—see section 10A.

43 Dictionary, definition of emissions factor

omit

44 Dictionary, new definition of emissions multiplier

insert

emissions multiplier—see section 9.

45 Dictionary, definition of tier 1 NERL retailer

substitute

tier 1 NERL retailer, for a compliance period, means a NERL retailer that, in the previous compliance period—

(a) had, at any time during that period, at least 5 000 customers in the ACT; and

(b) sold at least 500 000MWh of electricity to customers in the ACT.

Endnotes

1 Presentation speech

Presentation speech made in the Legislative Assembly on 4 June 2015.

2 Notification

Notified under the Legislation Act

on 2015.

3 Republications of amended laws

For the latest republication of amended laws, see www.legislation.act.gov.au

.









































© Australian Capital Territory 2015

 


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