Energy Regulation and the Law

Subject LAWS70141 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 7 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

March, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: The total class time is between 24 and 26 hours.
Total Time Commitment: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Prerequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Corequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Recommended Background Knowledge: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Non Allowed Subjects: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Core Participation Requirements: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.

Contact

For the most up-to-date information about this subject, contact the Melbourne Law Masters Office by email at law-masters@unimelb.edu.au or phone 8344 6190 or alternatively visit the subject website: www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

Principal topics will include:

  • What is regulation?
  • What is the relationship between regulation and law?
  • General explanations and justifications for regulation
  • Regulatory issues posed by the supply of different types of energy:
    - Mineral energies: Coal, petroleum, uranium
    - Network energies: Electricity, gas
    - Common problems
  • Regulatory responses: Laissez-faire, public ownership and operation, licensing, price and export controls, operational controls, subsidies
  • The Australian regulatory environment: Federal structure, geography and markets, impacts of international regulation, competition policy, independent regulatory authorities
  • Two or more case studies:
    - Electricity (or gas): From public monopolies to regulated markets
    - Oil and gas: Public ownership, private operation
    - Coal and uranium: Trade and security issues
    - Renewable energies: Costs and subsidies
  • Evaluating energy regulation: Legitimacy, legality, accountability, fairness, efficiency, effectiveness.
Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Understand the phenomenon of regulation as an activity of government and its relationship with law
  • Understand the issues raised by different types of energy sources that may call for regulatory solutions
  • Have a sound knowledge of the Australian regulatory regimes for the types of energy covered in the subject
  • Be able to offer a critical appraisal of those regimes by reference to regulatory theory and comparative practice.
Assessment:

Take-home examination (40%) (14-17 May)
6,000 word research paper (60%) (1 July) on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
Prescribed Texts: Visit the subject website for more information
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Links to further information: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/
Related Course(s): Master of Environment
Master of Environment
Postgraduate Certificate in Environment
Postgraduate Diploma in Environment

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