Overview

On 4 July 2024, the AEMC published the self-initiated Minor changes 2 2024 rule change proposal. 

The rule change proposal was initiated by the AEMC to correct minor errors and make non-material changes to the National Electricity Rules (NER), the National Gas Rules (NGR) and the National Energy Retail Rules (NERR) to improve their quality.  As with previous AEMC initiated rules, these minor corrections and non-material changes make the rules clearer to stakeholders.

In particular, the proposed rules address the following:

• correcting a legal drafting error in relation to clause 3.15.6A of the NER under the National Electricity Amendment (Improving security frameworks for the energy transition) Rule 2024 No. 9 (“ISF final rule”) resulting in the instructions not operating as intended
• Correct a referencing error in the note to rule 48 of the NGR regarding queuing requirements.
• The Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water ("DCCEEW") submitted a request on 31 May 2024 for a minor rule change with regard to the National Energy Retail Amendment (Other Gases) Rule 2024 , requesting changes to be made to the definition of "effective date" in Schedule 3, Part 19, Division 2, Rule 3 of the NERR to  confirm the effective date as nine months after the commencement of Schedule 1 of the Amending Rule. An error in the legal drafting defined the effective date as being "the date of commencement of Schedule 1 of the Amending Rule".

Submissions to the rule change proposal closed on 1 August 2024. 

The AEMC received two submissions on the rule change proposal from Alinta Energy and AEMO. 

The Commission undertook an expedited process for this rule change proposal as it considered non-controversial. Under an expedited rule making process, a final rule determination must be made within eight weeks of the initiation of the process under the uniform energy rules. 

The AEMC did not receive any objections to it assessing the rule under the expedited rule making process.

The AEMC has made a final rule determination to make the Minor changes 2 2024 electricity, gas and retail rules, which will commence operation on 29 August 2024. The final rules reflect the AEMC's proposed rules.

Background

On 4 July 2024, the AEMC gave notice under sections 95 and 96(1)(a) of the National Electricity Law, sections 303 and 304 of the National Gas Law and sections 251 and 252 of the National Energy Retail Law to initiate the proposed National Electricity Amendment (Minor changes 2) Rule 2024, National Gas Amendment (Minor changes 2) Rule 2024 and National Energy Retail Amendment (Minor changes 2) Rule 2024 under the expedited Rule making process.