The Communications and Utilities Regulatory Authority has published its final decision on the draft Gas (Economic Regulation) Bill, outlining a series of amendments.
The authority’s response details changes made following feedback from Isle of Man Energy and Manx Utilities.
CURA stated the Bill is “appropriately framed to ensure a clear, efficient, and proportionate regulatory framework” but that amendments would “facilitate greater certainty and transparency”.
Key amendments include clarifying that licences can be granted for fixed or indefinite periods, removing criminal sanctions for breaching licence conditions and deleting a regulatory objective “to seek, where appropriate, to promote competition”.
Isle of Man Energy raised overarching concerns about accountability, arguing that for the Authority, “decision making powers are concentrated in the hands of a small number of individuals who have limited regulatory expertise”.
CURA strongly rejected this, stating the view “is clearly not the case,” and defended its oversight by Tynwald.
Regarding appeals, IOME advocated for an independent tribunal.
CURA concluded the current system of appeal to the High Court via a Dolance petition provides a “level playing field,” arguing a new tribunal “would likely be favourable to the incumbent, but it is not clear that it would be in the best interests of other stakeholders, especially consumers”.
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