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Proposal to Approve a Joint Electricity and Gas Complaints Resolution Scheme [Closing date: 2009/04/20 16:00:00 GMT+12]
Submissions are invited on this Consultation Paper which covers the approval of a joint electricity and gas complaints resolution scheme. The purpose is to seek feedback on the proposals contained in this paper and, in particular, the questions posed throughout the paper and grouped together in Appendix A of the consultation paper.
Parties who wish to make a submission on the proposal are invited to respond by 4:00 pm on Monday 20 April 2009 (Note: this date was changed from 14 April 2009 to 20 April 2009 on 9 April 2009). Please note that submissions received after this date may not be considered because of the tight timeframe required to prepare recommendations to the Board of the Electricity Commission and the Board of Gas Industry Co (who meet on different days).
The Electricity Commission and Gas Industry Co have agreed to act jointly in the proposed approval of a complaints resolution scheme and, accordingly, will consider all submissions jointly. It would therefore be helpful to coordinate submissions through one point.
New material released on 9 April 2009
The consultation paper above compares the application from the Electricity and Gas Complaints Commission (EGCC) for an “approved” complaints resolution scheme, with other options for complaints resolution, including regulated options. The EGCC option in the paper is based on the EGCC’s proposals to amend its constitution.
On 8 April 2009, the Electricity Commission and Gas Industry Co received a letter from the EGCC advising that EGCC members had declined to agree some of these amendment proposals.
On 8 April 2009, the Electricity Commission also released information relating to the evaluation process under the Official Information Act. In order that all stakeholders have access to the same information, the Commission has now published the material that was released.
In light of the EGCC’s letter, the Commission and GIC are now considering the way forward and will discuss this at their next Board meetings at the end of April. Submitters’ views are important in helping the Commission and GIC to determine an appropriate way forward. Stakeholders are still invited to make submissions on the issues canvassed in the consultation paper, in particular, whether there is a preference for an approved scheme provided by the industry, or a regulated scheme.
In recognition of the fact that new material has been released, the Commission and GIC have agreed to extend the submission closing date to 4pm on Monday 20 April 2009.
The preference is to receive submissions in electronic form (Microsoft Word format or pdf) with “Submission on Approval of a Complaints Resolution Scheme” in the subject header to submissions@electricitycommission.govt.nz. If submitters do not wish to send their submission electronically, they should post it in hard copy form to:
Bronwyn Christie
Electricity Commission
PO Box 10041
Wellington Tel: +64 4 460 8860
Fax: +64 4 460 8879
The Electricity Commission will acknowledge receipt of all submissions electronically. Please contact Bronwyn Christie if you do not receive electronic acknowledgement of your submission within two business days.
The preference is for all submissions to be collected at a single point by the Electricity Commission. However, submissions may also be provided to Gas Industry Co if that is preferred (Submissions to Gas Industry Co should be emailed to submissions@gasindustry.co.nz). Submissions provided to Gas Industry Co will be consolidated with those provided directly to the Electricity Commission.
Where possible, submissions should be provided in the format shown in Appendix A. Submitters should indicate any documents attached in support of their submission in a covering letter.
In order to foster an informed and transparent process, the Electricity Commission and Gas Industry Co intend to make submissions available to the public on their websites.
Submitters should note that the contents of submissions on this paper, whether provided directly or indirectly via Gas Industry Co, will be received by the Electricity Commission, and will be among the information the Commission holds which is subject to public release under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) .
In the interests of a transparent process, requests for non-disclosure of submissions, in whole or in part, is discouraged. Despite this, if it is necessary to include confidential information in a submission, the confidential information should be clearly identified, and preferably contained in an appendix to the submission. Submitters should provide the Commission with confidential and public versions of their submissions. The responsibility for ensuring that confidential information is not included in a public version of a submission rests entirely with the party making the submission.
If you have any questions about the process or this consultation paper please contact either Karen Bradley (04 460 8876 or Karen.Bradley@electricitycommission.govt.nz) or Bas Walker (04 494 6582 or BasW@gasindustry.co.nz).
Timetable for Decision
Following receipt and consolidation of submissions the Electricity Commission and Gas Industry Co will, acting jointly, consider all submissions, finalise their decision, and issue a paper setting out the decision. The intended timetable for making the decision is June 2009.
+64 4 460 8860
+64 4 460 8879