Minister wants tougher powers over gas company

Wednesday, 12 March 2025 11:24

Tough proposed new powers would force Jersey's gas company to tell the government about potential threats to the safety and security of the island's supply.

Politicians will be asked to agree changes to the law that would make it a criminal offence for the firm to withhold information.

Following the fatal explosion at Haut du Mont in December 2022, several gas leaks and an island-wide outage in October 2023, the government wants to strengthen its oversight of Jersey Gas, which trades as Island Energy.

If approved, the Home Affairs Minister would have the power to demand certain information from the gas company in situations where public safety or the security of the supply are at risk - so called 'reportable incidents'.

These circumstances are listed as

• Those that threaten, or potentially threaten, public safety or harm to people or property in Jersey;

• Those that threaten or potentially threaten the supply of gas in Jersey;

• Those that have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Gas Company to carry out its functions under an enactment, including a material adverse change in its financial position;

• A change of control of the Gas Company, whether direct or indirect. “Control,” in relation to the Gas Company means having the power to exercise decisive influence over its activities.

The Minister would also have to power to enter its offices and seize relevant documents.

Withholding or providing false information would become a criminal offence, punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine.