AGY-498 | Department of Energy [II]

Full description

The Department of Energy was formed on 6 April 1995 when the Office of Energy was abolished and its branches were combined to become the Department of Energy (1) In addition to policy development, the Department had co-ordination and regulatory roles across various energy industries, aiming to ensure the efficient, safe and responsible supply of energy.(2) Administration of the Gas Industry Restructuring Act, 1986 and the Gas Supply Act,1996 the major legislation for the gas industry, became the responsibility of the Department of Energy. During 1996, the Department assisted the Government’s Electricity Reform Taskforce with the restructuring and corporatisation of the New South Wales electricity generation and distribution market. The Department was also involved in the preparation and implementation of the NSW Gas Supply, 1996 ( Act No.38 1996) which abolished the Gas Council of NSW (3) . The Department assumed most of the functions of this agency although the responsibilities relating to pricing were transferred to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal. The new roles assigned to the Department of Energy by the Gas Supply Act included being the prime adviser to the Minister on the conditions of gas supply authorisations and responsibility for the implementation of national gas market reforms in the State.(4) The Department of Energy II was abolished following the State election in March 1999 and the Ministry of Energy and Utilities was established in its place. (5). FOOTNOTES 1)New South Wales Government Gazette No.39, 5 April 1995, p.1861 (2)New South Wales Government Directory 1996 (3)New South Wales Government Gazette No.77, 28 June 1996, p.3820 (4)Department of Energy Annual Report, year ended 30 June 1996 (5)Ministry of Energy and Utilities Annual Report, year ended 30 June 1999 REFERENCES: (1) Department of Energy Annual Report 1994-95