The AER has published a Directions Paper on Social licence for electricity transmission projects. This paper sets out our current approach to social licence issues and covers how transmission networks may best address social licence under our regulatory framework, including:
- our expectations of transmission networks in undertaking community engagement
- when and how social licence issues can be factored into the regulatory tests for the approval of and recovery of costs for new transmission development
- the evidence that we want to see in support of proposed transmission network expansion and associated expenditure.
We are seeking feedback on this paper by 1 December and will use your feedback in refining our approach, updating guidelines and in developing more detailed guidance for industry during 2024.
Ideally feedback would be provided in writing, but we are open to receiving this feedback in different forms to reduce burden on stakeholders. To provide feedback or to contact us about this paper, you can email us at aerinquiryaer [dot] gov [dot] au (subject: Submission%3A%20Social%20licence%20for%20electricity%20transmission%20projects, body: We%20are%20seeking%20feedback%20on%20this%20paper%20by%201%20December%20and%20will%20use%20your%20feedback%20in%20refining%20our%20approach%2C%20updating%20guidelines%20and%20in%20developing%20more%20detailed%20guidance%20for%20industry%20during%202024.%0A%0AWe%20prefer%20to%20publish%20all%20submissions%20to%20facilitate%20an%20informed%20and%20transparent%20consultative%20process.%20We%20will%20treat%20submissions%20as%20public%20documents%20unless%20otherwise%20requested.%20All%20non-confidential%20submissions%20will%20be%20placed%20on%20the%20AER, apos, s%20website.%0A%0AWe%20request%20parties%20wishing%20to%20submit%20confidential%20information%3A%0Aclearly%20identify%20the%20information%20that%20is%20the%20subject%20of%20the%20confidentiality%20claim%0Aprovide%20a%20non-confidential%20version%20of%20the%20submission%20in%20a%20form%20suitable%20for%20publication.%0A) (aerinquiry[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au.)
Alternatively, stakeholders are invited to write to:
Stephanie Jolly
A/Executive General Manager – Consumer, Policy and Markets
Australian Energy Regulator
GPO Box 3131
Canberra, ACT, 2601