Gas company staff who fail to report safety risks or withhold crucial information could face up to seven years in prison, if law changes proposed by the Home Affairs Minister are approved.
Deputy Mary Le Hegaret today lodged an update to the Jersey Gas Company (Jersey) Law 1989 which would strengthen Government oversight of the island’s gas supply.
If approved, the new legislation would require Jersey Gas Company Limited – which trades as Island Energy – to immediately notify the Government about events that could threaten public safety, gas supply, financial stability, or ownership changes.
The law would also introduce strict criminal offences, including penalties for failing to notify authorities of public safety threats.
Company officials who provide false information, destroy records, or obstruct inspections could face up to seven years in prison and fines.
Meanwhile, failure to notify or disclose information could result in up to five years in prison and fines.
Under the new law, the Minister or an authorised official would also be allowed to enter premises (excluding private homes), examine documents, and require a person to answer questions and provide information.
Some information would remain exempt from disclosure under the updated legislation, such as legally privileged documents.
Information could only be shared with Government departments, regulators, or emergency services, and only for specific purposes like risk assessment, emergency planning, and financial monitoring.
The update would also allow the States Assembly to quickly amend the law in response to urgent safety or supply issues.
The amendment was lodged just days after Island Energy was summonsed to appear in court to answer charges relating to the Haut du Mont explosion, which claimed the lives of ten islanders in December 2022.
And following a separate police investigation, three former employees of the utility company were last month charged with multiple counts of gross negligence manslaughter.
Deputy Le Hegaret’s proposition is due to be debated by politicians next month.