Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

RENEWABLE ENERGY (ELECTRICITY) ACT 2000

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

   PART 1--PRELIMINARY

   1.      Short title  
   2.      Commencement  
   3.      Object/outline  
   4.      Years to which this Act applies  
   5.      Definitions  
   6.      Act binds Crown  
   7.      Application to the external Territories  
   7A.     Tax deductibility  
   7B.     Constitutional basis  
   7C.     Immunity from State laws  

   PART 2--RENEWABLE--ENERGY CERTIFICATES

           Division 1--Preliminary

   8.      Overview of Part  

           Division 2--Registration of persons

   9.      Who can register  
   10.     Applying for registration  
   11.     Regulator to refuse or approve application  
   12.     Regulator to allocate registration numbers  

           Division 2A--Provisional accreditation of power stations

   12A.    Application for provisional accreditation of a power station  
   12B.    Regulator may give provisional accreditation  
   12C.    Time limit for deciding applications  

           Division 3--Accreditation of eligible power stations

   13.     Application for accreditation  
   14.     Regulator to determine certain matters  
   15.     Regulator to approve or refuse application  
   15A.    Time limit for deciding applications  
   15B.    Nominated person for power station  
   16.     Regulator to allocate identification codes  
   17.     What is an eligible renewable energy source ?  
   17A.    What is eligible WCMG ?  

           Division 4--Creation of renewable energy certificates

              Subdivision AA--Preliminary

   17B.    Overview of Division  

              Subdivision A--Large-scale generation certificates for accredited power stations

   17C.    Large - scale generation certificates  
   18.     Creating certificates for additional renewable electricity  
   19.     When certificates may be created  
   20.     Electricity generation return  
   20A.    Amending electricity generation returns  

              Subdivision B--Small-scale technology certificates for solar water heaters

   20B.    Small - scale technology certificates  
   21.     When a certificate may be created  
   22.     How many certificates may be created  
   23.     Who may create a certificate  
   23AA.   Register of solar water heaters  

              Subdivision BA--Small-scale technology certificates for small generation units

   23AB.   Small - scale technology certificates  
   23A.    When a certificate may be created  
   23AAA.  Regulations to establish scheme for inspection of new installations of small generation units  
   23B.    How many certificates may be created  
   23C.    Who may create a certificate  
   23D.    No other certificates to be created  
   23E.    Election to not create certificates under this Subdivision  

              Subdivision BB--Solar water heater and small generation unit return

   23F.    Solar water heater and small generation unit return  

              Subdivision C--Improper creation of certificates

   24.     Improper creation of certificates--offences  
   24A.    Improper creation of certificates--civil penalty  
   24B.    False etc. information resulting in improper creation of certificates under Subdivision B or BA--civil penalty  

           Division 5--Form and registration of certificates

   25.     Form and content of large - scale generation certificates  
   25A.    Form and content of small - scale technology certificates  
   26.     Certificates must be registered  

           Division 6--Transfer of certificates

   27.     Certificates may be transferred  
   28.     Regulator to be notified  

           Division 7--Retirement of certificates

   28A.    Registered owner may surrender certificate  
   29.     Retirement of certificates  

           Division 8--Suspension of registration

   30.     Suspension of registration--conviction of offence  
   30A.    Suspension of registration--other grounds  

           Division 9--Changing the nominated person for an accredited power station

   30B.    Changing the nominated person for an accredited power station  

           Division 10--Varying what constitutes a power station

   30C.    Varying what constitutes a power station  

           Division 11--Suspending the accreditation of a power station

   30D.    Suspending the accreditation of a power station--interconnected power stations  
   30E.    Suspending the accreditation of a power station--other grounds  

           Division 12--Varying 1997 eligible renewable power baselines and 2008 WCMG limits

   30F.    Varying 1997 eligible renewable power baselines  
   30G.    Varying 2008 WCMG limits  

   PART 2A--CLEARING--HOUSE FOR SMALL-SCALE TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATES

           Division 1--Preliminary

   30H.    Overview of Part  

           Division 2--Regulator to establish and operate clearing house

   30J.    Regulator to establish and operate clearing house  

           Division 3--Entering certificates into the clearing house

   30K.    Application for certificate to be entered into the clearing house  
   30L.    Regulator to enter certificate into the clearing house  

           Division 4--Purchase of certificates through the clearing house

   30LA.   Clearing house price etc.  
   30M.    Application for purchase of certificate through the clearing house  
   30N.    If there is a certificate on the clearing house transfer list--Regulator to transfer certificate  
   30P.    If there is no certificate on the clearing house transfer list--Regulator to create certificate  
   30Q.    Form and content of certificates created by the Regulator  

           Division 5--Renewable Energy Special Account

   30R.    Renewable Energy Special Account  
   30S.    Credits to the Renewable Energy Special Account  
   30T.    Purposes of the Renewable Energy Special Account  

           Division 6--Other matters

   30U.    Regulations about the operation of the clearing house  

   PART 3--ACQUISITION--OF ELECTRICITY

   31.     What are relevant acquisitions ?  
   32.     Wholesale acquisitions  
   33.     Notional wholesale acquisitions  
   34.     Special provision relating to transactions involving AEMO or a person or body prescribed by the regulations  

   PART 4--RENEWABLE--ENERGY SHORTFALL CHARGE

           Division 1AA--Preliminary

   34A.    Overview of Part  

           Division 1--Liability to charge

              Subdivision A--Liable entities

   35.     Liable entities  

              Subdivision B--Large-scale generation shortfall charge

   36.     Large - scale generation shortfall charge payable by liable entity  
   37.     Amount of charge  
   38.     Determination of large - scale generation shortfall  

              Subdivision C--Small-scale technology shortfall charge

   38AA.   Interpretive provisions relating to liability for small - scale technology shortfall charge etc.  
   38AB.   Small - scale technology shortfall charge payable by liable entity  
   38AC.   Amount of charge  
   38AD.   Determination of small - scale technology shortfall  
   38AE.   Quarterly shortfalls for the quarters of a year  
   38AF.   Energy acquisition statement lodged for previous year: application to have amount apply instead of previous year's reduced acquisitions  
   38AG.   No energy acquisition statement lodged for previous year: application to have amount apply as if it were previous year's reduced acquisitions  
   38AH.   No energy acquisition statement lodged for previous year: default rule  
   38AI.    General provisions relating to applications under sections 38AF and 38AG  

           Division 1A--Exemption from liability to charge

   38A.    Object  
   38B.    Amount of exemption  
   38C.    Information about exemptions to be published on Regulator's website  

           Division 2--Renewable power percentage for large-scale generation shortfall charge

   39.     Regulations to specify renewable power percentage  
   40.     Required GWh of renewable source electricity  

           Division 2A--Small-scale technology percentage for small-scale technology shortfall charge

   40A.    Regulations to specify small - scale technology percentage  

           Division 2AA--Emerging renewable energy technologies

   40AB.   Inclusion of emerging renewable energy technologies  

           Division 3--Other provisions related to renewable energy shortfall charge

   40B.    Regulator to publish estimate of small - scale technology percentage  
   40C.    Regulator to give liable entity estimate of current year's required surrender amounts for first 3 quarters  
   41.     Arrangements to avoid or reduce renewable energy shortfall charge  
   42.     Application of Act to Commonwealth  
   43.     Cancellation of exemptions from charges  

   PART 5--STATEMENTS--, CERTIFICATES AND ASSESSMENTS

           Division 1AA--Preliminary

   43A.    Overview of Part  

           Division 1--Statements

              Subdivision A--Annual energy acquisition statements

   44.     Annual energy acquisition statements  
   44A.    Surrender of large - scale generation certificates in energy acquisition statement  
   45.     Surrender of small - scale technology certificates in quarterly surrender instrument  
   45A.    Amending energy acquisition statement at request of liable entity  
   45B.    Amending energy acquisition statement on Regulator's own initiative  
   45C.    Surrender of additional certificates if energy acquisition statement amended on Regulator's own initiative  
   45D.    Limitations on certificates that can be surrendered under this Subdivision  
   45E.    Fees for surrender of certificates under this Subdivision  

              Subdivision B--Annual renewable energy shortfall statements

   46.     Annual renewable energy shortfall statements  

           Division 1A--Exemption certificates

   46A.    Application for exemption certificate  
   46B.    Exemption certificates  
   46C.    Amending exemption certificates  
   46D.    Minister may obtain information from corporation  
   46E.    No exemption certificates to be issued to corporation for 5 years if Minister's request not complied with  
   46F.    Disclosure of information to the Regulator  

           Division 2--Assessments

              Subdivision A--Large-scale generation shortfall charge

   47.     First large - scale generation shortfall statement taken to be assessment of large - scale generation shortfall charge  
   48.     Default assessments of large - scale generation shortfall charge  

              Subdivision B--Small-scale technology shortfall charge

   48A.    First small - scale technology shortfall statement taken to be assessment of small - scale shortfall charge  
   48B.    Default assessments of small - scale technology shortfall charge  

              Subdivision C--Other provisions relating to assessments

   49.     Amendment of assessments  
   50.     Refund of overpaid amounts  
   51.     Amended assessment to be an assessment  
   52.     Notice of assessment  
   53.     Validity of assessment  
   53A.    Application of Division  

   PART 6--OBJECTIONS--, REVIEWS AND APPEALS

           Division 1--Objections to and review of assessments

   54.     Objections  
   55.     How objections are to be made  
   56.     Limited objection rights in the case of certain amended assessments  
   57.     Requests for extension of time  
   58.     Regulator to decide objections  
   59.     Person may require Regulator to make an objection decision  
   60.     Liable entity may seek review of, or appeal against, Regulator's decision  
   61.     Grounds of objection and burden of proof  
   62.     Time limit for appeals  
   63.     Order of Federal Court on objection decision  
   64.     Implementation of Federal Court order in respect of objection decision  
   65.     Pending appeal not to affect implementation of decisions  

           Division 2--Review of other decisions

   66.     Review of decisions  

   PART 7--COLLECTION--AND RECOVERY OF CHARGE

           Division 1--General rules about collection and recovery

   67.     When renewable energy shortfall charge is payable  
   68.     When penalty charge becomes due and payable  
   69.     Extension of time for payment  
   70.     Penalty for unpaid renewable energy shortfall charge or unpaid penalty charge  
   71.     Recovery of renewable energy shortfall charge related liability  
   72.     Service of documents if a person is absent from Australia or cannot be found  

           Division 2--Special rules about collection and recovery

              Subdivision A--Recovery from a third party

   73.     Regulator may collect amounts from third party  
   74.     Notice to Commonwealth, State or Territory  
   75.     Indemnity  
   76.     Offence  

              Subdivision B--Recovery from liquidator

   77.     Liquidator's obligation  
   78.     Offence  
   79.     Joint liability of 2 or more liquidators  
   80.     Liquidator's other obligation or liability  

              Subdivision C--Recovery from receiver

   81.     Receiver's obligation  
   82.     Offence  
   83.     Joint liability of 2 or more receivers  
   84.     Receiver's other obligation or liability  

              Subdivision D--Recovery from agent winding up business for non-resident principal

   85.     Obligation of agent winding up business for non - resident principal  
   86.     Offence  
   87.     Joint liability of 2 or more agents  
   88.     Agent's other obligation or liability  

              Subdivision E--Recovery from deceased person's estate

   89.     Administered estate  
   90.     Unadministered estate  

           Division 3--Other matters

   91.     What this Division is about  
   92.     Right of recovery if another person is liable  
   93.     Right of contribution if persons are jointly liable  
   94.     Regulator may authorise amount to be recovered  

   PART 8--REFUNDING--LARGE-SCALE GENERATION SHORTFALL CHARGE

   95.     Refunding large - scale generation shortfall charge in later years  
   96.     Value of certificates surrendered  
   97.     Certificates can only be surrendered if there is no shortfall  
   98.     Refund of charge where certificates surrendered  

   PART 9--PENALTY--CHARGE

   99.     Penalty charge for failure to provide statements or information relevant to large - scale generation shortfall charge  
   99A.    Penalty charge for failure to provide statements or information relevant to small - scale technology shortfall charge  
   100.    False or misleading statements  
   101.    Penalty charge where arrangement to avoid renewable energy shortfall charge  
   102.    Assessment of penalty charge  
   103.    Remitting penalty charge  

   PART 10--ADMINISTRATION

   104.    General administration of Act  
   105.    Annual report  

   PART 11--AUDIT

           Division 1--Overview

   106.    Overview of Part  

           Division 2--Appointment of authorised officers and identity cards

   107.    Appointment of authorised officers  
   108.    Identity cards  
   109.    Offences related to identity cards  

           Division 3--Powers of authorised officer

              Subdivision A--Monitoring powers

   110.    Entry to premises  
   111.    Monitoring powers of authorised officers  

              Subdivision B--Power of authorised officer to ask questions and seek production in certain circumstances

   112.    Authorised officer may request or require persons to answer questions etc.  
   113.    Failure to provide information to authorised officer  

           Division 4--Obligations and incidental powers of authorised officers

   116.    Authorised officer must produce identity card on request  
   117.    Consent  
   118.    Announcement before entry  
   119.    Details of monitoring warrant to be given to occupier etc. before entry  
   120.    Use of electronic equipment in exercising monitoring powers  
   121.    Compensation for damage to electronic equipment  

           Division 5--Occupier's rights and responsibilities

   122.    Occupier entitled to be present during execution of monitoring warrant  
   123.    Occupier to provide authorised officer with all facilities and assistance  
   124.    Offences related to warrants  

           Division 6--Warrants

   125.    Monitoring warrants  

   PART 11A--INFORMATION---GATHERING POWERS

   125A.   Regulator may obtain information and documents  
   125B.   Self - incrimination  
   125C.   Copies of documents  
   125D.   Regulator may retain documents  
   125E.   False or misleading evidence  

   PART 12--PUBLICATION--OF INFORMATION

   134.    Regulator may publish certain information  

   PART 13--REGISTERS

           Division 1--General

   135.    Registers to be maintained  

           Division 2--The register of registered persons

   136.    Contents of register of registered persons  
   137.    Form of register  

           Division 3--The register of accredited power stations

   138.    Contents of register of accredited power stations  
   139.    Form of register  

           Division 4--The register of large-scale generation certificates

   140.    Contents of register of large - scale generation certificates  
   141.    Form of register  

           Division 4A--The register of small-scale technology certificates

   141AA.  Contents of register of small - scale technology certificates  
   141AB.  Form of register  

           Division 5--The register of applications for accredited power stations

   141A.   Contents of register of applications for accredited power stations  
   141B.   Form of register  

   PART 15--OFFENCES--FOR FAILURE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTS

   154.    Failure to provide documents  

   PART 15A--CIVIL--PENALTIES

           Division 1--Civil penalty orders

   154A.   Definitions  
   154B.   Civil penalty orders  
   154C.   Who may apply for a civil penalty order  
   154D.   Two or more proceedings may be heard together  
   154E.   Time limit for application for an order  
   154F.   Civil evidence and procedure rules for civil penalty orders  
   154G.   Civil proceedings after criminal proceedings  
   154H.   Criminal proceedings during civil proceedings  
   154J.   Criminal proceedings after civil proceedings  
   154K.   Evidence given in proceedings for a civil penalty order not admissible in criminal proceedings  
   154L.   Mistake of fact  
   154M.   State of mind  

           Division 2--Liability of executive officers of bodies corporate

   154N.   Civil penalties for executive officers of bodies corporate  
   154P.   Reasonable steps to prevent contravention  

   PART 15B--OTHER--REMEDIES

           Division 1--Enforceable undertakings

   154Q.   Acceptance of undertakings  
   154R.   Enforcement of undertakings  

           Division 2--Injunctions

   154S.   Injunctions  

   PART 16--MISCELLANEOUS

   155.    Contracting outsiders  
   156.    Delegation  
   157.    Appropriation  
   159.    Evidence  
   160.    Records to be kept and preserved by registered persons, liable entities and holders of exemption certificates  
   160A.   Prescribing matters by reference to other instruments  
   160B.   Administrative decisions under the regulations  
   161.     Regulations  

   PART 17--APPLICATION--OF ACT TO 2001

   163.    Object of Part  
   164.    Modification of references to a year  
   165.    Modification of other references