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Consideration of Bill: 30th April 2008                  

1864

 

Energy Bill, continued

 
 

Tariffs for renewable energy

 

Alan Simpson

 

Mr Alan Duncan

 

Martin Horwood

 

Mr Michael Meacher

 

Mr John Grogan

 

Colin Challen

 

Total signatories: 25

 

Mr Bernard Jenkin

 

Mrs Linda Riordan

 

David Heyes

 

Kate Hoey

 

Mr Gordon Prentice

 

Mr Michael Clapham

 

Kelvin Hopkins

 

Ms Katy Clark

 

NC4

 

To move the following Clause:—

 

‘(1)    

The Secretary of State shall make regulations within one year of the passing of

 

this Act with the purpose of requiring designated energy suppliers to introduce a

 

renewable energy tariff for specified producers of renewable energy.

 

(2)    

In this section—

 

“renewable energy tariff” means the reward level for each kilowatt hour of

 

energy produced by the renewable source;

 

“renewable source” has the same meaning as in the Utilities Act 2000

 

(c.27);

 

“renewable energy” means energy from renwable sources;

 

“renewables obligation” means the obligation specified in section 32 of the

 

Electricity Act 1989 (c.29);

 

“specified” means specified in the regulations.

 

(3)    

The renewable energy tariff shall set the reward level for each kilowatt hour of

 

energy produced by the renewable source and may—

 

(a)    

be set at different levels for different levels for different types of

 

renewable source;

 

(b)    

apply to metered energy produced or to metered energy exported onto

 

public gas or electricity networks;

 

(c)    

apply to sizes of renwable sources specified in the regulations;

 

(d)    

be varied at different times as prescribed in the order or in successive

 

orders;

 

(e)    

make provision for the payment and incidence of the costs of connection

 

of small-scale generators to public networks.

 

(4)    

The descriptions of energy supplier upon which an order may impose the

 

payment of a renewable energy tariff are those supplying electricity or gas—

 

(a)    

in Great Britain;

 

(b)    

in England and Wales;

 

(c)    

in Scotland; or

 

(d)    

in Northern Ireland

 

excluding such categories of supplier as are specified.

 

(5)    

The regulations shall specify—

 

(a)    

the renewable sources in respect of which renewable energy tariffs shall

 

apply;

 

(b)    

the tariff applicable to each renewable source;

 

(c)    

the maximum level of electricity generation in respect of which the

 

renewable energy tariff shall apply;


 
 

Consideration of Bill: 30th April 2008                  

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Energy Bill, continued

 
 

(d)    

which persons and installations generating from renewable sources shall

 

be eligible for the renewable energy tariff, and any provisions to exclude

 

installations accredited under the renewables obligation;

 

(e)    

the terms and duration of the renewable energy tariff arrangements;

 

(f)    

how the amount of energy produced and upon which the renewable

 

energy tariff is payable shall be measured, determined or deemed;

 

(g)    

provisions for the regulation of renewable energy tariff arrangements by

 

a designated body;

 

(h)    

provision for the Secretary of State to report periodically on the

 

effectiveness of the regulations made hereunder;

 

(i)    

any necessary amendment to distribution licences or supply licences held

 

by any person; and

 

(j)    

such other provisions as may be required for the efficient, cost-effective

 

and transparent operation of the renewable energy tariff.

 

(6)    

Before making regulations under this section, the Secretary of State must

 

consult—

 

(a)    

the Authority;

 

(b)    

the energy suppliers to whom the proposed order may apply;

 

(c)    

representatives of renewable energy producers to whom the proposed

 

order would apply; and

 

(d)    

such other persons, if any, as he considers appropriate.

 

(7)    

Regulations under this section shall not be made unless a draft of the instrument

 

containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of

 

Parliament.’.

 


 

Duty to protect public health

 

Dr Brian Iddon

 

Kelvin Hopkins

 

NC5

 

To move the following Clause:—

 

‘(1)    

The Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29) is amended as follows.

 

(2)    

In section 3D(2) (exceptions from sections 3A to 3C) delete the words “or 37”.

 

(3)    

In section 29 (regulations relating to supply and safety), after subsection (2)(g)

 

insert—

 

“(h)    

specify the distance at which any new high voltage line should

 

be installed from any existing development.”.

 

(4)    

In Schedule 8 (consents under sections 36 and 37) at the end of paragraph 2(1)

 

insert “and the Health Protection Agency.”.

 

(5)    

In Schedule 8 (consents under sections 36 and 37) in paragraph 2(2) after

 

“relevant planning authority” insert “or the Health Protection Agency”.

 

(6)    

In Schedule 8 (consents under sections 36 and 37) after paragraph 2(6) insert—


 
 

Consideration of Bill: 30th April 2008                  

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Energy Bill, continued

 
 

“(7)    

In this Schedule “Health Protection Agency” has the same meaning as in

 

the Health Protection Agency Act 2004 (c. 17) and includes any

 

successor to its functions in respect of radiation.”’.

 


 

Electricity from hydro-microgeneration

 

Mr David Heath

 

Mr David Drew

 

Kelvin Hopkins

 

NC11

 

To move the following Clause:—

 

‘(1)    

The Secretary of State shall, within one year of the passing of this Act, make

 

regulations with the purpose of encouraging renewable energy generation by

 

means of hydro-microgeneration.

 

(2)    

In this section—

 

“hydro-microgeneration” means the generation of electricity by means of a

 

hydro-turbine of less than 100kW capacity;

 

“microgeneration plant” has the same meaning given in section 7(6) of the

 

Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006 (c. 19).

 

(3)    

Regulations under this section may prescribe—

 

(a)    

the treatment of hydro-microgeneration under sections 32 to 32M of the

 

Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29);

 

(b)    

licensing for the use of water in a water-course for the purpose of hydro-

 

microgeneration;

 

(c)    

that any requirement for abstraction, transfer or impoundment licences

 

under the

 

(i)    

Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57),

 

(ii)    

Environment Act 1995 (c. 25), or

 

(iii)    

Water Act 2003 (c. 37)

 

    

is repealed in respect of a hydro-microgeneration plant, provided that no

 

water is removed from the watercourse in the process of generation;

 

(d)    

that any requirement to ensure the safety and welfare of fish in a

 

watercourse on which a hydro-microgeneration plant is situated is

 

proportional to the risk of detriment to the safety and welfare of fish.

 

(4)    

Any reference to the generation of electricity under this or any other act which

 

applies to hydro-microgeneration shall apply as though the reference was to the

 

generation of electricity by means of any hydro-turbine of less than 100kW

 

capacity.

 

(5)    

Regulations under this section shall not be made unless a draft of the statutory

 

instrument containing them has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of,

 

each House of Parliament.’.

 



 
 

Consideration of Bill: 30th April 2008                  

1867

 

Energy Bill, continued

 
 

Provision for greenhouse gases emissions performance standard for electricity

 

generation

 

Steve Webb

 

Martin Horwood

 

NC12

 

To move the following Clause:—

 

‘(1)    

The Secretary of State may make provision by regulations for a greenhouse gases

 

emissions performance standard to set the maximum level of carbon dioxide that

 

may be emitted per unit of output by any generating station requiring consent for

 

construction or extension under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29).

 

(2)    

Regulations made under subsection (1) may include provision—

 

(a)    

specifying how proposed generation stations are able to comply with any

 

greenhouse gases emissions performance standard, and to demonstrate

 

compliance with any regulations made under this section, including by

 

the capture of carbon dioxide at the generating station and its transport to

 

and injection into geological storage provided that such activities are

 

licenses in accordance with applicable laws and regulations;

 

(b)    

specifying any sources of electricity generation, including electricity

 

generated from renewable sources, that are deemed to be compliant with

 

any greenhouse gases emissions performance standard.

 

(3)    

No consent shall be granted under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for any

 

generating station that does not comply with regulations made under subsection

 

(1).

 

(4)    

Before making regulations under subsection (1) (including setting the level of the

 

greenhouse gases emissions performance standard), the Secretary of State must

 

consult such persons as are, in his opinion, likely to be affected by or have an

 

interest in the regulations.

 

(5)    

Regulations made under subsection (1) shall be made by statutory instrument,

 

which may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and

 

approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

 

(6)    

In this section—

 

“greenhouse gases emissions performance standard” means a standard

 

prescribed by regulations setting the maximum level of carbon dioxide

 

that may be emitted per unit of output from an individual generating

 

station.’.

 


 

Information on contributions towards environmental taxes

 

Charles Hendry

 

Mr John Baron

 

NC13

 

To move the following Clause:—

 

‘(1)    

The Secretary of State shall make regulations requiring companies supplying gas

 

or electricity to specify the proportion of those consumers’ energy bills that

 

contribute towards environmental taxes.

 

(2)    

In this section “environmental taxes” means—

 

(a)    

the Renewables Obligation Certificates,


 
 

Consideration of Bill: 30th April 2008                  

1868

 

Energy Bill, continued

 
 

(b)    

charges resulting from the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, and

 

(c)    

charges resulting from the Carbon Emissions Reduction Targets and

 

future additional environmental charges.’.

 


 

Annual report on gas storage

 

Charles Hendry

 

Mr John Baron

 

NC14

 

To move the following Clause:—

 

‘The Secretary of State shall, in each calendar year following that in which this

 

Act is passed, lay before Parliament a report on—

 

(a)    

his assessment of the appropriate volume of onshore gas storage to ensure

 

long-term energy security, and

 

(b)    

the progress that has been made towards reaching that target.’.

 


 

Duty to encourage a reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases

 

Charles Hendry

 

Mr John Baron

 

NC15

 

To move the following Clause:—

 

‘(1)    

In section 3A of the Electricity Act (c. 29) (the principal objective and general

 

duties of the Secretary of State and the Authority), at end of subsection (1), insert

 

“while reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases in accordance with

 

government targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

 

(2)    

In section 4AA of the Gas Act 1986 (c. 44) (the principal objective and general

 

duties of the Secretary of State and the Authority), at end of subsection (1), insert

 

“while reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases in accordance with

 

government targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions.’.

 


 

Information on carbon dioxide emissions

 

Mr Alan Duncan

 

Charles Hendry

 

Mr John Baron

 

NC16

 

To move the following Clause:—

 

‘The Secretary of State shall, within 12 months of the passing of this Act, make

 

regulations requiring companies supplying gas or electricity to specify on


 
 

Consideration of Bill: 30th April 2008                  

1869

 

Energy Bill, continued

 
 

consumers’ energy bills the volume of carbon dioxide emitted in generating the

 

energy supplied in the period to which the bill relates.’.

 


 

Promotion of renewable energy

 

Mr Alan Duncan

 

Charles Hendry

 

Mr John Baron

 

NC17

 

To move the following Clause:—

 

‘In section 7(2) of the Sustainable Energy Act 2003 (c. 30), for “60,000,000”

 

substitute “250,000,000”.’.

 


 

Use of biomethane

 

Dr Desmond Turner

 

Colin Challen

 

Alan Simpson

 

Frank Cook

 

Brian Iddon

 

Dr Ian Gibson

 

Total signatories: 12

 

Kelvin Hopkins

 

NC18

 

To move the following Clause:—

 

‘(1)    

In section 32(8) of the Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29), in the definition of “renewable

 

sources, at end insert—

 

“(2)    

and shall include the use of any gas drawn from a gas network to which

 

premises supplied by the supplier are connected where at the time the gas

 

is drawn from the network the supplier has arranged for the shipping to

 

the consumer at those premises of the same quantity of renewable

 

biomethane gas and that quantity has been introduced to the gas

 

transmission or distribution system to which the consumer’s premises are

 

connected.”.

 

(2)    

In section 124 of the Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), after subsection (5) insert—

 

“(6)    

For the purposes of this section ‘supplied’ shall include supply of any gas

 

or other fuel drawn from a gas or other fuel network to any premises

 

where at the time the gas or other fuel is drawn from the network by a

 

consumer the supplier has arranged for the shipping to the consumer at

 

the same premises of the same quantity of renewable transport fuel and


 
 

Consideration of Bill: 30th April 2008                  

1870

 

Energy Bill, continued

 
 

that quantity has been introduced to the gas transmission or distribution

 

system to which those premises are connected.”’.

 


 

Duties of the regulatory authority

 

Dr Desmond Turner

 

Colin Challen

 

Alan Simpson

 

Frank Cook

 

Brian Iddon

 

Dr Ian Gibson

 

Total signatories: 12

 

Kelvin Hopkins

 

NC19

 

To move the following Clause:—

 

‘(1)    

For sections 4AA(1) and (2) of the Gas Act 1986 (c.44) substitute—

 

“(1)    

The principal objective of the Secretary of State and the Gas and

 

Electricity Markets Authority (in this Act referred to as “the Authority”)

 

in carrying out their respective functions under this Part is to deliver a

 

secure and sustainable energy system operating within greenhouse gas

 

emission limits notified by the Secretary of State to the Authority in

 

accordance with the provisions of the Climate Change Act 2008 [c. ].

 

(2)    

The Secretary of State and the Authority shall carry out those functions

 

in the manner which he or it considers is best calculated to further the

 

principal objective, having regard to—

 

(a)    

the protection of the interests of consumers in relation to gas or

 

heat conveyed through pipes, through effective competition

 

between persons engaged in, or in commercial activities

 

connected with, the transportation or supply of gas or heat; and

 

(b)    

the need to secure that, so far as it is economical to meet them,

 

all reasonable demands in Great Britain for gas and heat

 

conveyed though pipes are met; and

 

(c)    

the need to secure that licence holders are able to finance the

 

activities which are the subject of obligations imposed by or

 

under this Part or the Utilities Act 2000 (c.27).”

 

(2)    

For section 3(1) and (2) of the Electricity Act 1989 (c.29) substitute—

 

“(1)    

The principal objective of the Secretary of State and the Gas and

 

Electricity Markets Authority (in this Act referred to as “the Authority”)

 

in carrying out their respective functions under this Part is to deliver a

 

secure and sustainable energy system operating within greenhouse gas

 

emission limits notified by the Secretary of State to the Authority in

 

accordance with the provisions of the Climate Change Act 2008 [c ].

 

(2)    

The Secretary of State and the Authority shall carry out those functions

 

in the manner which he or it considers is best calculated to further the

 

principal objective, having regard to—


 
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