Part 3: Decommissioning of Energy Installations Modification of approved programmes Section 48: Modification of approved programme
242.This section allows for a funded decommissioning programme to be modified once it has been approved, and allows for the modification of any condition attached to the programme. This section gives the Secretary of State flexibility to amend a decommissioning programme, for example to reflect advances in decommissioning technologies or where cost estimates change.
243.Subsections (1) and (2) provide that the Secretary of State, the site operator and any other person who has obligations under the programme can propose a modification to the programme. Where a modification is proposed by a person who falls into the last category it requires the consent of the site operator.
244.Subsection (3) allows obligations or additional obligations to be placed on (or removed from) bodies corporate associated with the operator, such as a parent company. Subsection (4) enables a modification to be made which places conditions on the approval even if the funded decommissioning programme was originally approved unconditionally.