Energy Bill returned to the Lords
11 May 2016
Consideration of Commons Amendments: 10 May
Members discussed amendments relating to onshore power generation.
No further changes were made and both Houses have agreed on the text of the bill, which now waits for Royal Assent when it will become law.
Consideration of Commons Amendments: 27 April
Lords members discussed subjects including onshore power generation.
Consideration of Commons Amendments: 12 April
- Catch up on Parliament TV
- Read the transcript in Hansard
- Lords divisions (votes) results
- Lords Library Note: Energy Bill
- What is consideration of amendments/ping pong
Lords members discussed MPs' amendments relating to onshore wind generating stations and carbon accounting.
Outstanding issues on the bill were returned to the Commons for consideration.
Third Reading: Wednesday 4 November 2015
- Catch up on Parliament TV
- Read the transcript in Lords Hansard
- Lords Library note: Energy Bill
- What is third reading?
The discussion focused on two key areas, the functions of the Oil and Gas authority, and carbon capture and storage (CCS). Members agreed that decarbonisation through CCS would be a priority for the future.
The bill now goes to the Commons for its consideration.
Lords report stage day two: Wednesday 21 October
- Watch the debate on Parliament TV
- Read the transcript in Lords Hansard
- Lords divisions (votes) results
- What is report stage?
Members of the Lords discussed a proposal to remove a section of the bill that would end subsidies for onshore wind from 31 March 2016, this went to a vote with 242 for and 190 against, so the change was made.
Peers also voted on a new section of the bill to define how carbon units from the operation of the EU Emissions Trading System could be credited to or debited from the UK’s carbon account, 189 peers voted for and 166 against, so this change was made.
Third reading, a final chance to amend the bill, is yet to be scheduled.
Lords report stage day one: Monday 19 October
- Catch up on Parliament TV
- Read the Lords Hansard transcript
- Lords division (vote) result
- Lords Library note: Energy Bill
- What is report stage?
Members of the Lords discussed several amendments concerning the role, responsibilities and jurisdiction of the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA). A proposal to change the principal objective of the OGA was taken to a vote. The change was made to the bill after members voted 251 in favour and 179 against.
Report stage continues on Wednesday 21 October.
Lords committee stage day three: Monday 14 September
Lords committee stage day two: Wednesday 9 September
Members discussed changes to the bill covering third-party access to petroleum infrastructure. Peers also looked at requirements for carbon capture and storage, and ways in which it could be encouraged.
Lords committee stage day one: Monday 7 September
Members of the Lords discussed a range of areas covered by the bill including the role and powers of the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), and whether it should have carbon storage and transportation in its objectives, and the costs of decommissioning North Sea oil and gas infrastructure.
Lords second reading: Wednesday 22 July
Peers discussed some of the key areas covered by the bill, including the regulation of the extraction of oil and gas from the North Sea, and ways in which energy bills can be kept as low as possible. They also discussed the role businesses can play in meeting the UK’s climate change targets, the role of the Oil and Gas Authority, and the development of onshore wind farms.
Members asked whether the bill would help support energy efficiency, and how it could help tackle fuel poverty.
Energy Bill summary
The bill will define laws around a number of areas, including:
- the Oil and Gas Authority and its functions
- fees in respect of activities relating to oil, gas, carbon dioxide and pipelines
- wind power.