This notice of a recommendation concerning the Electricity Governance Rules ("Rules"), Rule Amendment Proposal No. 16, is issued by the Electricity Commission ("Commission"), established under the Electricity Act
1992 ("Act"), pursuant to section 172E (2) (c) of the Act.
Section 172E (2) (c) provides that, no later than 10 working days after making a recommendation concerning the Rules to the Minister of Energy, the Commission must publicise the recommendation and the assessment completed under section 172F of the Act.
Recommendation
The Commission made a recommendation that Rule 5.1.3 of Code of Practice G1, Schedule G8, Part G of the Rules, be deleted and replaced with new Rules 5.1.3, 5.1.3A and 5.1.3B, in reliance on section 172F (3) (effect of recommendation is minor), on 7 December 2004.
Section 172F (3) provides that the Commission is not required to comply with section 172F (1) (assessment) if it
is satisfied that the effect of the recommendation is minor and will not adversely affect the interests of any person in
a substantial way.
Accordingly, no such assessment has been carried out.
Recommended Amendment to the Rules
The recommended amendment was the deletion of 5.1.3 from, and the insertion of new Rules 5.1.3, 5.1.3A and 5.1.3B into Code of Practice G1, Schedule G8 of Part G, to remove ambiguity in the Rules, enable consistency in reporting, and ensure that the results can be meaningfully used as a basis for seeking improvements.
The proposed amendments also recognise that there are some meters that are either unsafe or unable to be accessed by a retailer despite best endeavours.
A copy of the Commission's recommendation is available, at no cost, on the Commission's web site:
http://www.electricitycommission.govt.nz/govern/regs/index.html
Dated at Wellington this 6th day of December 2004.
For and on behalf of the Electricity Commission:
ROY HEMMINGWAY, Chair.