The UK Energy Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 19 November 2009. As the bill makes provisions applying to Scotland for purposes that lie within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament and that alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, a legislative consent memorandum has been lodged by the Scottish Government.
As the memorandum explains, consent is sought in relation to the following areas. Firstly, the bill will enable the UK Government to raise a UK-wide levy (which is a reserved matter) on electricity supply to be charged in connection with provision of financial assistance in respect of carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration projects. The bill will also include an explicit reference stating that for major projects situated in Scotland, the UK Secretary of State must consult with Scottish Ministers before making, amending or revoking an assistance scheme and before making regulations relating to assistance schemes.
Read this report here: 1st Report 2010: Report on the legislative consent memorandum on the Energy Bill (UK Parliament legislation)
Published: 15 January 2010