Commentary on Sections Chapter 1: Nuclear Decommissioning Section 10: Powers for carrying out functions
78.Section 10 gives the NDA the general and specific powers it requires to carry out its functions. In addition to the general powers, in subsection (1), some particular powers are identified in subsection (2) which might not be thought to fall within its general powers in the absence of a specific mention. They are included because they are or may become a necessary part of the NDA’s activities. The power to operate power stations is for the NDA to be able to operate, besides the Magnox stations that will be designated under section 3(1), the Combined Heat and Power station at Fellside which provides essential steam and electricity to the Sellafield site and the Maentwrog hydroelectric station which is located on the lake which supplies a Magnox decommissioning site. The power to hold a nuclear site licence is there as a fall back lest it is decided that the NDA must take more direct responsibility for the work on any site. The NDA would of course need to demonstrate it met all the requirements of a site licensee before it could secure a licence from the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive.
79.Other powers covered by subsection (2) include those to make grants or loans for the benefit of socio-economic development or other activities that produce other environmental benefits or for research into decommissioning and clean-up; and to use facilities on its sites for carrying out research for third parties and in this respect or otherwise to generate funds which will ultimately contribute to the resources to be made available to the NDA. In order to carry out its functions, the NDA may exercise its statutory powers itself or contract with others to do things on its behalf. The section does not empower the NDA to do anything which is not required for the purpose of, or in connection with, the carrying out of its functions.
80.Subsection (3) gives the NDA power to charge for work done in relation to sites, installations or facilities for which it is not itself financially responsible (for the definition of financial responsibility see section 21) subject to the approval of Ministers either under the initial designation or otherwise.