Terms of Reference for the Review of the Intergovernmental Agreement for the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Legislative Scheme (the IGA) Introduction On behalf of the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Program, the Commonwealth Department of Industry is initiating a review process that will: review and evaluate the operation of the national administrative framework for the IGA and recommend, as appropriate, any changes in the context of the Government’s commitment to reduce the regulatory burden on industry while continuing to help reduce energy consumption and associated energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions of Australian households and businesses; assess the implementation of the E3 Program against its objectives, and the operation of the IGA; and consider ongoing funding contributions by Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments based on experience during the first two years of the GEMS Act, and options for the long term funding arrangements of the Program beyond financial year 2015-16, including in relation to cost recovery. The review will fulfil the requirement in paragraph 51 of the IGA that it be reviewed, and will generate content that will be of use for the review required under the GEMS Act (to be undertaken after its fifth year of operation). Scope An Independent Reviewer will deliver a report which evaluates the operation and administration of the IGA, including transitional issues from the previous multi-jurisdiction appliance and equipment energy efficiency regulatory regime. The report will review the ongoing funding requirements for delivery of the E3 Program, including options relating to cost recovery. The report will provide an evaluation of: the IGA in delivering a nationally-harmonised appliance and equipment energy efficiency regulatory regime operating in the trans-Tasman market in an efficient and cost-effective manner. What has been the experience in relation to the arrangements and processes for developing new and revised GEMS requirements? Has the IGA led to improvements and cost savings in relation to the previous multi-jurisdiction regime? The efficiency of the implementation of the Program, including making recommendations on opportunities for red-tape reduction and streamlining. The transition from the previous multiple jurisdiction appliance and equipment energy efficiency regulatory regime, including costs and impacts on stakeholders. For example, the GEMS Regulator uses selected state-based technical experts (under a Service Provider contract) to provide an application assessment service. Has this system worked? Is it the most effective way of delivering this service? Are there other options?
Terms of Reference for the Review of the Intergovernmental Agreement for the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Legislative Scheme (the IGA) Introduction On behalf of the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Program, the Commonwealth Department of Industry is initiating a review process that will: review and evaluate the operation of the national administrative framework for the IGA and recommend, as appropriate, any changes in the context of the Government’s commitment to reduce the regulatory burden on industry while continuing to help reduce energy consumption and associated energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions of Australian households and businesses; assess the implementation of the E3 Program against its objectives, and the operation of the IGA; and consider ongoing funding contributions by Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments based on experience during the first two years of the GEMS Act, and options for the long term funding arrangements of the Program beyond financial year 2015-16, including in relation to cost recovery. The review will fulfil the requirement in paragraph 51 of the IGA that it be reviewed, and will generate content that will be of use for the review required under the GEMS Act (to be undertaken after its fifth year of operation). Scope An Independent Reviewer will deliver a report which evaluates the operation and administration of the IGA, including transitional issues from the previous multi-jurisdiction appliance and equipment energy efficiency regulatory regime. The report will review the ongoing funding requirements for delivery of the E3 Program, including options relating to cost recovery. The report will provide an evaluation of: the IGA in delivering a nationally-harmonised appliance and equipment energy efficiency regulatory regime operating in the trans-Tasman market in an efficient and cost-effective manner. What has been the experience in relation to the arrangements and processes for developing new and revised GEMS requirements? Has the IGA led to improvements and cost savings in relation to the previous multi-jurisdiction regime? The efficiency of the implementation of the Program, including making recommendations on opportunities for red-tape reduction and streamlining. The transition from the previous multiple jurisdiction appliance and equipment energy efficiency regulatory regime, including costs and impacts on stakeholders. For example, the GEMS Regulator uses selected state-based technical experts (under a Service Provider contract) to provide an application assessment service. Has this system worked? Is it the most effective way of delivering this service? Are there other options?