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Bill · started in the Commons

Energy Act 2008

A Bill to make provision relating to gas importation and storage; to make provision in relation to electricity generated from renewable sources; to make provision about the decommissioning of energy installations and wells; to make provision about the management and disposal of waste produced during the operation of nuclear installations; to make provision relating to petroleum licences; to make provision about third party access to oil and gas infrastructure and modifications of pipelines; to make provision about reports relating to energy matters; to make provision relating to gas meters and electricity meters and provision relating to electricity safety; to make provision about the security of equipment, software and information relating to nuclear matters; and for connected purposes.

Now an Act of Parliament

The story so farThe Energy Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 10 January 2008 by Mr John Hutton (Labour). It completed its passage through Parliament and became law as the Energy Act 2008, receiving Royal Assent on 26 November 2008.

What the bill does

The Energy Bill contains the legislative provisions required to implement UK energy policy following the publication of the Energy Review 2006 and the Energy White Paper 2007. <br><br>This policy is driven by the two long-term energy challenges faced by the UK: tackling climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and ensuring secure, clean and affordable energy.<br><br><strong>Key areas</strong><br><br><ul><li>Strengthens the regulatory framework for offshore gas supply infrastructure to enable private sector investment </li><li>Creates a regulatory framework to enable private sector investment in Carbon Capture and Storage projects</li><li>Strengthens the Renewables Obligation to drive greater and more rapid deployment of renewables in the UK</li><li>Strengthens statutory decommissioning provisions for offshore renewables and oil and gas installations to minimise the risk of liabilities falling to the Government</li><li>Improves the offshore oil and gas licensing regime in response to changes in the commercial environment and enable the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to carry out its regulatory functions more effectively</li><li>Ensures the operators of new nuclear power stations accumulate funds to meet the full costs of decommissioning and their full share of waste management costs</li><li>Introduces amending powers such that Ofgem is able to run the offshore electricity transmission licensing regime more effectively.</li></ul>

Progress through Parliament

  1. 1st reading Commons 10 Jan 2008
  2. 2nd reading Commons 22 Jan 2008
  3. Programme motion Commons 22 Jan 2008
  4. Money resolution Commons 22 Jan 2008
  5. Committee stage Commons 5 Feb to 11 Mar 2008
  6. Report stage Commons 30 Apr 2008
  7. 3rd reading Commons 30 Apr 2008
  8. 1st reading Lords 1 May 2008
  9. 2nd reading Lords 21 May 2008
  10. Committee stage Lords 12 Jun to 1 Jul 2008
  11. Report stage Lords 22 Oct to 28 Oct 2008
  12. 3rd reading Lords 5 Nov 2008
  13. Programme motion Commons 18 Nov 2008
  14. Consideration of Lords amendments Commons 18 Nov 2008
  15. Consideration of Commons amendments and / or reasons Lords 26 Nov 2008
  16. Royal Assent Unassigned 26 Nov 2008

Source: the official bill page. Last updated 12 Mar 2009.