Utilities and resources

New approach for dry winters: report calls for power companies to pay for their own mistakes
The Electricity Commission has released the Review of Winter 2008 report for consultation by stakeholders before it formally considers the report's eight recommendations on how the market could be improved to better manage dry winters and improve future performance. In this article, Bell Gully partner Garry Downs and summer clerk Ryan Manton provide an overview of these recommendations and the report's findings.

Changes to the Government Policy Statement on Electricity Governance – the first step in the National Party's reform of the electricity industry
On 2 March 2009, the Government released for consultation a revised policy direction for the Electricity Commission. In this update, senior associate Louise Hill outlines the key changes proposed for the new Government Policy Statement on Electricity Governance.

Labour's ETS still in place but undergoing comprehensive review
In this article, senior associate Kate Radka provides an update on the Emissions Trading Scheme and the current review of the scheme by a special select committee established at the end of 2008.

Draft Forestry Allocation Plan and the need for pre-1990 foresters to act by mid-2009
The forestry aspects of New Zealand's emissions trading scheme became effective on 1 January 2008 and remain in force. In this article, senior associate Kate Radka provides an outline of the Draft Forestry Allocation Plan (which is currently under consultation) for the allocation of pre-1990 forests and the potential exemptions for such forests under the emissions trading scheme.

Enquiries and information

For more information on any of the cases, articles and features in Commercial Quarterly, please email Diane Graham or call her on 64 9 916 8849.