Atomic Energy Act 1989
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| Act of Parliament | |
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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. |
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| Citation | 1989 c. 7 |
| Introduced by | Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy (Mr. Michael Spicer) House of Commons 22 May 1989 Third Reading (Commons) |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 25 May 1989 |
Status: Amended | |
The Atomic Energy Act 1989 (c. 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.
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]