Jemena Gas Networks 2015-20 access arrangement draft remittal decision

PIAC lodged a submission to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) regarding its draft decision for the Jemena Gas Networks (JGN) 2015-20 access arrangement remittal. The AER had to remake aspects of this decision (published in June 2015) following the outcomes of the limited merits review in the Australian Competition Tribunal and judicial review in the Federal Court.

PIAC supports the AER’s draft remittal decision to allow:

• an adjustment amount of $169 million ($ at 30 June 2020) to be allocated to the 2019-20 regulatory year in the AER’s remade draft decision; and
• a subsequent adjustment amount of –$169 million ($ at 30 June 2020) to be allocated to JGN’s reference services for the 2020–25 access arrangement period.

By not pursuing the positions it took in 2015, JGN will ensure their customers do not face the increase in bills associated with the full allowances originally sought. The certainty that flows from the resolution of this process, and particularly the removal of the potential for judicial review of the AER’s re-made decision by JGN, is also in consumers’ interests.