Atomic Energy Act 1989

The Atomic Energy Act 1989 (1989 chapter 7) is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom. The act amended the financial limits of British Nuclear Fuels plc; the expenses of the Health and Safety Executive; the compensation available from public funds; and the provisions for mutual assistance in the event of a nuclear accident or emergency.

Atomic Energy Act 1989
Long titleAn Act to alter the financial limit imposed by section 2(1) of the Nuclear Industry (Finance) Act 1977 in relation to British Nuclear Fuels plc; to make provision with respect to the recovery of certain expenses by the Health and Safety Executive; to amend sections 18 and 19 of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965; to make provision in connection with the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency; and for connected purposesAn Act to alter the financial limit imposed by section 2(1) of the Nuclear Industry (Finance) Act 1977 in relation to British Nuclear Fuels plc; to make provision with respect to the recovery of certain expenses by the Health and Safety Executive; to amend sections 18 and 19 of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965; to make provision in connection with the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency; and for connected purposes
Introduced byParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy (Mr. Michael Spicer) House of Commons 22 May 1989 Third Reading (Commons)
Dates
Royal assent25 May 1989
Status: Amended

Rationale

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The act raised the financial limit of British Nuclear Fuels plc from £1.5 billion to £2 billion.[1] This allowed BNF plc to progress its investment in the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP). This facility had over £4 billion of advance contracts in 1989. An investment of £500 million was required to reduce radioactive discharges to virtually zero.[1]

The act enabled the Health and Safety Executive to recover the costs associated with issuing nuclear licenses.[1] The act amended legislation and allowed the UK to ratify the convention on assistance in the case of a nuclear accident or radiological emergency.[1]

Provisions

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Long title: An Act to alter the financial limit imposed by section 2(1) of the Nuclear Industry (Finance) Act 1977 in relation to British Nuclear Fuels plc; to make provision with respect to the recovery of certain expenses by the Health and Safety Executive; to amend sections 18 and 19 of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965; to make provision in connection with the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency; and for connected purposes.##2

The act received royal assent on 25 May 1989.[2]

The act comprised seven sections and a schedule.[2]

Financial limit of British Nuclear Fuels plc

  • Section 1. Financial limit of British Nuclear Fuels plc.

Recovery of expenses by Health and Safety Executive

  • Section 2. Recovery of expenses by Health and Safety Executive.

Amendment of sections 18 and 19 of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965

  • Section 3. Nuclear installations: cover for compensation.
  • Section 4. Effect of grant of new nuclear site licence to existing licensee.

Mutual Assistance Convention

  • Section 5. Mutual Assistance Convention.

Supplementary

  • Section 6. Consequential amendments and repeals.
  • Section 7. Short title, commencement and extent.

Schedule. Provisions of Article 8 of the Mutual Assistance Convention having the force of law in the United Kingdom

See also

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Atomic Energy Authority Act

Atomic Energy Research Establishment

Atomic Weapons Research Establishment

Nuclear weapons and the United Kingdom

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "House of Commons 22 May 1989 Third Reading". Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b "The Atomic Energy Act 1989" (PDF). Retrieved 13 August 2024.