The AER is required under the transitional provisions of Chapter 11 of the National Electricity Rules (the transitional chapter 6 rules) to make a distribution determination for ActewAGL in relation to its electricity distribution network. The determination will establish network charges for the period 2009-2014.
On 2 June 2008, ActewAGL submitted its regulatory proposal and supporting information to the AER.
The AER conducted the preliminary examination of ActewAGL's regulatory proposal required under clause 6.9.1 of the transitional chapter 6 rules and found that it satisfied the requirements of the regulatory information notice and the NER.
The AER's proposed negotiable component criteria
Under clause 6.7A.4 of the transitional chapter 6 rules, the AER's distribution determination for ActewAGL must set out the Negotiable Component Criteria (NCC). The NCC will be applied by ActewAGL to negotiate the terms and conditions of access for negotiable components of direct control services. The NCC will also be used by the AER in resolving any dispute between ActewAGL and a person wishing to receive a negotiable component including the variation of prices that are to be charged and any access charges that are to be paid.
The NCC determined by the AER must give effect to, and be consistent with, the negotiable component principles set out in clause 6.7A.1 of the transitional chapter 6 rules.
Public forum
The AER wishes to advise interested parties of its intention to hold a public forum on the regulatory proposal submitted by ActewAGL on Tuesday, 29 July 2008 in Canberra.
The public forum will provide an opportunity for ActewAGL to explain its regulatory proposal. Stakeholders will also have an opportunity to ask questions on the regulatory proposal.
Details regarding the public forum will be made available by the AER in a separate notice.
Invitation for submissions
Interested parties are invited to provide written submissions on ActewAGL's regulatory proposal and the AER's proposed NCC to the AER by close of business Friday, 8 August 2008.
ActewAGL's regulatory proposal and the AER's Explanatory Statement and Issues Paper on the proposed NCC for ActewAGL are available at the AER's website.
Interested parties can request copies of the supporting documents provided by ActewAGL with its regulatory proposal by emailing aerinquiry
aer [dot] gov [dot] au (aerinquiry[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au). Supporting documents will be provided on a CD.
Submissions can be sent electronically to aerinquiryaer [dot] gov [dot] au (aerinquiry[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au)
Alternatively, submissions can be sent to:
Mike Buckley
General Manager
Network Regulation North Branch
Australian Energy Regulator
GPO Box 3131
Canberra ACT 2601
To facilitate an informed, transparent and robust consultation process, the AER prefers that all submissions be in an electronic format and publicly available. Accordingly, submissions will be treated as public documents and posted on the AER's website, except and unless prior arrangements are made with the AER to treat the submission, or portions of it, as confidential.