Energy Companies Must Cooperate with Govt During Blackouts, Support Customers with Energy Efficiency Measures
Energy Legislation Amendment (Electricity Outage Emergency Response and Other Matters) Bill 2023
Legislative Assembly
Legislative Council
Assent
Topics
emergency management energy distribution energy efficiency energy infrastructure energy sector public utility regulation
Introduced by: The Hon Ingrid Stitt MLC (ALP); Lily D'Ambrosio MP (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Department Head can order electricity distribution companies to take specific actions during an outage emergency.
The Department Head must check if a company has the resources to follow the order before giving it.
Distribution companies must follow these emergency directions.
Companies face civil penalties if they ignore an emergency direction.
The Department Head can share customer information with public sector entities to help manage the emergency.
The Department Head must publish a public register of all emergency directions.
The Energy Minister can now set fees for the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.
The Essential Services Commission can use its enforcement framework for the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target Act.