Part 3: Decommissioning of Energy Installations Modification of approved programmes Section 50: Power to disapply section 49
251.This section provides the Secretary of State with the power to make regulations, (subject to the negative resolution procedure - see section 105), to disapply section 49 in relation to modifications proposed by a person other than the Secretary of State, as set out in subsection (1).
252.Before making any such regulations, the Secretary of State must consult with the Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency and the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland.
253.Subsection (3) allows regulations under subsection (1) to categorise modifications by reference to their financial consequences, including by reference to the cumulative financial effect of a number of modifications over a given period. Regulations might, therefore, set out that any operational changes which have a financial impact below a certain amount within a specified period of time are to be exempt from the requirements of section 49).
254.Subsection (4) provides that when the site operator modifies the plan in accordance with the regulations (so that the modification procedure in section 49 does not apply), it must notify the Secretary of State in the manner specified in the regulations.