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Energy Bill

moved Amendment No. 59: 59: Before Clause 80, insert the following new Clause— ““Duties of the regulatory authority (1) In section 4AA of the Gas Act 1986 (c. 44), for subsections (1) and (2) 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. (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; (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 through 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.”” (2) In section 3 of the Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29), for subsections (1) and (2) 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. (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 electricity conveyed by distribution systems, through effective competition between persons engaged in, or in commercial activities connected with, the generation, transmission, distribution or supply of electricity; (b) the need to secure that all reasonable demands for electricity 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 of the Utilities Act 2000.”””” The noble Lord said: This is one of those interesting occasions where you table an amendment thinking it is the best thing since sliced toast, and then someone tables a better amendment. On that basis, I shall simply mention that the difference between my amendment, which has some merit, and the amendment tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Oxburgh, is the inclusion of CHP; and his amendment is better. I shall move my amendment, but I will support the amendment tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Oxburgh. I beg to move.