Clause 18
Energy Bill
10:30 am
Malcolm Wicks (Minister of State (Energy), Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform; Croydon North, Labour)
I am looking forward to hearing about new clause 18, but first, I will speak briefly by way of introduction to our clause. The clause will enable the Secretary of State to make regulations by the negative procedure that prescribe the circumstances in which carbon dioxide storage licences may be granted. The Liberal Democrats worry about the burdens placed on the hard-working Secretary of State, but he has some support, so I do not want them to get too anxious.
The clause states that the regulations may prescribe who may apply for licences, what information would have to be supplied by the applicant, the financial security arrangements and other requirements. Having such regulations in place will help to ensure that only appropriately qualified and financially sound operators engage in CO2 storage activities and that certain conditions are satisfied before a licence to commence operations can be obtained. I now look forward to hearing the arguments in favour of new clause 18.