On 5 July 2011, the Minister of Economic Affairs,
Agriculture and Innovation submitted a bill to the lower chamber of
the Dutch Parliament containing amendments to the Heat Act
(Warmtewet). This Act was passed by both chambers of Parliament
during the period July 2008- February 2009, but did not enter into
force. The background to the bill's submission was as follows:
at a parliamentary consultation held on 30 June 2010 following a
survey by the Netherlands Competition Authority ("NMa")
on the impact of the Heat Decree (Warmtebesluit) on the profits of
suppliers (the "Impact Survey"), it was agreed that the
Minister would submit a proposal for amendments to the Heat Act
aimed at decreasing its complexity and improving its workability,
keeping in mind the original basic principles of the Act. In
connection with the bill, amendments will also be made to the Heat
Decree and the Heat Regulation (Warmteregeling).
