Utilities and resources

Telecommunications Amendment Bill makes its final assent
New Zealand is in line for significant changes in its telecommunication industry following the passage of the Telecommunications Amendment Bill late last year. In this commentary, Bell Gully senior solicitor David Blacktop provides a brief overview of the key provisions of the new legislation.

A look back over oil and gas litigation in 2006
In this article Bell Gully senior associate David Coull reviews three cases involving New Zealand's oil and gas legislative regime each of which provide important lessons for lawyers and industry participants.

Draft New Zealand Energy Strategy released in December 2006
The Energy Strategy, entitled "Powering our Future - Towards a sustainable low emissions energy system", sets out the Government's strategic vision for New Zealand's energy system until 2050.  It is a relatively comprehensive document, and refers to several other related policy initiatives (including those relating to climate change and energy efficiency). This commentary outlines the Government's key objectives and proposals put forward for consideration in the Energy Strategy.

Climate change and sustainable land management
At the end of 2006 the Government released a series of related discussion documents on the energy sector and climate change. These include a paper on the Government's proposed plan of action for the forestry and agricultural sectors with particular emphasis on the way forward for a carbon neutral economy and way of life.

Electricity lines company fails in its attempt to get price thresholds set aside
David Blacktop, a senior solicitor in Bell Gully's competition and regulatory team, discusses the recent Court of Appeal decision in Unison Networks v The Commerce Commission. Notwithstanding a unanimous finding that the Commission's initial price path threshold for large electricity lines companies was unlawful, the majority of the Court of Appeal went on to decline to set aside the thresholds on the basis that doing so would cause considerable disruption to the industry.

Electricity Commission issues green light on Transpower's new Auckland power line
The Electricity Commission has released its Notice of Intention to approve Transpower's amendment to the North Island Grid Upgrade Project that was submitted to the Electricity Commission as part of a Grid Upgrade Plan in September 2005. The public will be given an opportunity to make submissions after the release of the Commission's detailed statement of the reasons for its decision.

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.