Part 1Energy efficiency

CHAPTER 4Reducing carbon emissions and home-heating costs

66Promotion of reductions in carbon emissions: gas transporters and suppliers

1

Section 33BC of the Gas Act 1986 (promotion of reductions in carbon emissions: gas transporters and suppliers) is amended as follows.

2

In subsection (1) (power by order to impose an obligation to achieve a carbon emissions reduction target) for “the Authority” substitute “ the Administrator ”.

3

After subsection (2) insert—

2A

In this section “the Administrator” means—

a

the Authority; or

b

if the order so provides, the Secretary of State or a specified body other than the Authority.

4

In subsection (3) for “the Authority” substitute “ the Administrator ”.

5

In subsection (4) for “the Authority” substitute “ (subject to any directions given under subsection (9B)) the Administrator ”.

6

In subsection (5) (general provision that may be included in an order imposing an obligation to achieve a carbon emissions reduction target)—

a

for paragraphs (ba) and (c) substitute—

ba

requiring part of a carbon emissions reduction target to be met by action of a specified description;

bb

requiring the whole or any part of a carbon emissions reduction target to be met by action relating to—

i

individuals of a specified description,

ii

property of a specified description,

iii

specified areas or areas of a specified description, or

iv

individuals or property of a specified description in specified areas or areas of a specified description;

bc

enabling the Administrator to direct a transporter or supplier to meet part of a carbon emissions reduction target by action relating to an individual named in the direction;

bd

preventing action from qualifying for the purpose of meeting the whole or any part of a carbon emissions reduction target unless such persons as are specified in, or determined in accordance with, the order—

i

have been consulted about the action;

ii

have consented to the action;

be

requiring action which qualifies for the purpose of meeting both a carbon emissions reduction target and a home-heating cost reduction target to be treated as qualifying only for the purpose of meeting such one of those targets as the transporter or supplier concerned elects;

c

determining, or specifying the method for determining, the contribution that any action makes towards meeting a carbon emissions reduction target;

b

in paragraph (d) for “the Authority” substitute “ the Administrator ”;

c

in paragraph (e)—

i

for “the Authority” substitute “ the Administrator ”;

ii

for sub-paragraph (ii) substitute—

ii

if so, what contribution the proposed action (or any result of that action specified in the determination) is to make towards achieving the carbon emissions reduction target;

d

in paragraph (f) for “the Authority” substitute “ the Administrator ”;

e

after paragraph (f) insert

; and

g

requiring the Administrator or a specified body to offer services of a specified kind and authorising a specified fee to be charged to those who take up the offer.

7

After subsection (5) insert—

5A

If the order makes provision by virtue of subsection (5)(bc) enabling the Administrator to direct a transporter or supplier to meet part of a carbon emissions reduction target by action relating to an individual named in the direction the order may also make provision—

a

authorising the Administrator to require specified persons to provide it with information for the purpose of enabling it to identify and select individuals who are to be the subject of a direction;

b

specifying criteria in accordance with which the Administrator is to select individuals who are to be the subject of a direction;

c

determining, or specifying the method for determining, which transporter or supplier is to be given a direction in relation to any particular individual selected in accordance with provision made under paragraph (b);

d

authorising the Administrator, if it gives a direction to a transporter or supplier, to provide the transporter or supplier with information relating to the individual concerned for the purpose of assisting the transporter or supplier to comply with the direction;

e

as to the times at which a direction may be given;

f

as to the circumstances in which a direction need not be complied with.

5B

Provision made by virtue of subsection (5)(c) may in particular provide for an action to be treated as making a greater contribution than it would otherwise do if the action relates to—

a

an individual of a specified description,

b

a property of a specified description, or

c

both an individual of a specified description and a property of a specified description.

8

In subsection (6) for “the Authority” substitute “ the Administrator ”.

9

After subsection (7) insert—

7A

The order may—

a

make provision for any specified requirement contained in it to be treated as a relevant requirement for the purposes of this Part; or

b

if it provides for the Administrator to be a person other than the Authority, make provision for and in connection with enabling the Administrator to enforce any requirement imposed by the order.

7B

Provision made by virtue of paragraph (b) of subsection (7A) may, in particular, include provision corresponding to or applying (with or without modifications) any of sections 28 to 30F and section 38.

10

In subsection (8) omit paragraph (b).

11

After subsection (9) insert—

9A

The order may make provision requiring the Administrator to give guidance to transporters or suppliers concerning such matters relating to the order as are specified.

9B

The Administrator shall carry out its functions under this section in accordance with any general or specific directions given to it by the Secretary of State.

12

For subsection (10A) substitute—

10A

The Secretary of State must obtain the consent of the Scottish Ministers before making an order under this section which contains provision that—

a

is included by virtue of subsection (2)(b),

b

extends to Scotland, and

c

would be within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament if contained in an Act of that Parliament.

13

After subsection (12) insert—

12A

Subsection (12) does not apply to an order under this section made only for the purpose of amending an earlier order under this section so as to alter the provision included in the earlier order by virtue of any of paragraphs (b), (ba) or (c) of subsection (5).But such an order shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

12B

If an order under this section provides for the Administrator to be a body other than the Authority, the Secretary of State may make payments to the body of such amounts as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

14

In subsection (13) before the definition of “microgeneration” insert—

“home-heating cost reduction target” has the meaning given by section 33BD(2)(a);

15

The reference in subsection (12A) of section 33BC of the Gas Act 1986 to paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of that section includes a reference to paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of that section before its substitution by subsection (6) of this section.