As a result of an inquiry into a June 2007 load shedding incident, the NSW Government plans to introduce new laws designed to ensure a more reliable gas supply to residential and business customers.

These new laws, which will be established prior to the 2008 winter period, will extend the Gas Supply Act of 1996 to natural gas wholesalers. Specifically, the new laws will establish Wholesale Gas Market Rules to ensure the demand of the NSW gas consumers particularly in the peak winter months.

The load shedding event was the result of gas injections into the APA Group-owned Moomba to Sydney Natural Gas Pipeline failing to meet the demand for gas. Gas supplies to end-users were reduced after it was realised demand had exceeded the amount of gas ordered.

APA said that since the load shedding event it has been working with the NSW Government and other stakeholders to ensure that this type of disruption does not occur in the future. APA will also continue to work with all involved on the drafting and implementation of the new Wholesale Gas Market Rules.

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Gas on the Moomba to Sydney Pipeline is transported under gas transportation contracts for a number of customers including AGL Wholesale Gas, Origin Energy, TRUenergy, Country Energy and Energy Australia.