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Energy Act 1976

Current text a fecha 2005-01-19

Permanent and reserve powers for energy conservation and control

General control by order

1

Subject to this, orders under the subsection may be made only when an Order in Council under section 3 of this Act is in force.

This power is exercisable at any time in the case of petroleum products, but otherwise is exercisable only when an Order in Council under section 3 is in force.

Reserve power to control by government directions

2

Implementation of reserve powers

3

and any such Order shall be laid before Parliament after it is made.

In reckoning that period no account is to be taken of any time during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued, or during which the House of Commons is adjourned for more than 4 days.

Other powers

4

This subsection has effect only at a time when there is in force an Order in Council under section 3(1).

Temporary relief from restrictive practices law

5

Maintenance of fuel reserves

Bulk stocks of petroleum, etc.

6

Indigenous”, in relation to crude liquid petroleum, means won under the authority of licences granted under United Kingdom legislation, and in relation to petroleum products means produced in the United Kingdom from indigenous crude.

Fuel stocks at power stations

7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Offshore natural gas

Supply of offshore natural gas

8

Use and liquefaction of offshore natural gas

9

Supplementary provisions as to consents

10

Interpretation of ss.8 to 10

11

and supply for any such use shall not be treated as supply for industrial fuel purposes.

Other measures for controlling energy sources and promoting economy

Disposal of gas by flaring, etc.

12

Restriction on obligation to supply gas

13

Fuelling of new and converted power stations

14

shall, unless his case is one excepted by order of the Secretary of State under subsection (4), give written notice of the proposal to him.

shall, unless the arrangements fall within the scope of a general authority granted by the Secretary of State by order under subsection (5), give written notice of the proposal to him.

Passenger car fuel consumption

15

or to any such combination of those matters, or of those and other similar matters, as the Secretary of State thinks best adapted to keeping the public informed about the fuel consumption of cars on the market.

and the orders may specify the cases in which a car is to be regarded as a new car and those in which a person is, or is not, to be regarded as one who deals in new cars.

Miscellaneous and general

Finance for power projects

16

Orders and directions

17

Administration, enforcement and offences

18

or in a notice given for any of those purposes, he makes or causes to be made on his behalf a statement which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true; or

criminal proceedings do not lie; but this is without prejudice to other methods of obtaining compliance with statutory obligations.

Penalties

19

the person guilty is liable either as provided in subsection (1) or on conviction on indictment to a fine.

and in the case of an offence under section 18(2)(d) or (e), the person guilty is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than three months, or to a fine of not more than £400 or both, or on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years or to a fine, or both.

Financial provision

20

Interpretation

21

In this Act—

Repeals and savings

22

The enactments specified in Part I of Schedule 4 to this Act are repealed to the extent there specified, subject to the provisions of Part II of the Schedule (savings for Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man) and Part III of the Schedule (continuance in force of certain orders).

Citation, commencement and extent

23

SCHEDULE 1

1
2
3

A person acting under and in accordance with such an authority may, to such extent and in accordance with such conditions as may be specified in the authority, act, or cause or permit another person to act, as the driver of a vehicle without complying with the requirements of section 96(1) to (6) of the Transport Act 1968 (as for the time being in force).

4

SCHEDULE 2

Power to obtain information

1

Power to call for documents

2

Access to premises etc. for enforcement purposes

3

at all reasonable hours and on production (if so required) of his authorisation, go on any premises and there make such enquiries and inspections, and purchase or take such samples of any substance, as are allowed by the terms of his authorisation or he thinks necessary for those purposes.

Entry with warrant

4

the justice or sheriff may issue a warrant naming a person authorised by the Secretary of State and authorising that person to enter the premises, by force if necessary.

Price control enforcement

5

the justice or sheriff may issue a warrant authorising a duly authorised officer of the authority (naming him) to enter the premises, by force if necessary; and paragraph 4(5) to (9) above also applies in relation to this warrant.

Proceedings

6

and the provisions of Article 7(3) to (6) of the Prosecution of Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 apply as if this paragraph were a consent provision within the meaning of that Article.

Non-disclosure of information

7

No information obtained by virtue of this Act shall be disclosed except—

Proof of documents

8

may be given in any legal proceedings (including arbitrations) by the production of a copy of the London, Edinburgh or Belfast Gazette purporting to contain such an authority or exemption or (as the case may be) the variation or revocation.

SCHEDULE 3

The directly applicable Community obligations referred to in section 18(2)(c) of this Act are those arising under the following EEC Council Regulations (as amended from time to time), that is to say—

and any other EEC Council Regulation made for the same or similar purposes which has been added to this Schedule by Order in Council or regulations under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.

SCHEDULE 4

Part I — ENACTMENTS REPEALED

Part II — Savings for Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man

1

Section 4 of the Fuel and Electricity (Control) Act 1973, together with so much of that Act as is required for its interpretation, remains in force in Northern Ireland, but with the following amendments—

and this Act shall apply for all purposes of administration and enforcement of the provisions continued in force under this paragraph as if those provisions were contained in this Act.

2

The 1973 Act remains in force—

Part III — Orders under 1973 Act which Continue in Force

The orders set out in this Part (which were made under powers conferred by the 1973 Act) continue in force notwithstanding the repeal of that Act.

The above orders are to be treated for the purposes of this Act as if they had been made under section 1(1) or (as the case may be) section 1(4) of this Act, and references in this Act to powers and orders under it and similar references, are to be construed accordingly where the context permits.

The Order in Council above is to be treated for the purposes of this Act as if it had been made under section 4(3) of this Act, and references in this Act to powers and orders under it, and similar references, are to be construed accordingly where the context permits.

The Interpretation Act 1889 continues to apply to the interpretation of the orders set out in this Part (other than those to which there is applied the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954) as it applies to the interpretation of an Act of Parliament and for the purposes of section 38 of that Act the orders are deemed to be Acts of Parliament.

General control by order.

5
1
1

agreement or consent otherwise required; and

The directly applicable Community obligations referred to in section 18(2)(c) of this Act are those arising under the following EEC Council Regulations (as amended from time to time), that is to say—

and any other EEC Council Regulation made for the same or similar purposes which has been added to this Schedule by Order in Council or regulations under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.

The orders set out in this Part (which were made under powers conferred by the 1973 Act) continue in force notwithstanding the repeal of that Act.

Orders under section 2

Order in Council under section 4(3)

Orders in Council under section 9

Editorial notes

[^c7247861]: Act not in force at Royal Assent see s. 23(2); Act wholly in force at 1.5.1977

[^c7247871]: 1973 c. 9.

[^c7247931]: S. 5 repealed (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 41, s. 74(1)(3), Sch. 12 para. 2, Sch. 14 Pt. I (with s. 73); S.I. 2000/344, art. 2, Sch.

[^c7247941]: S. 7 repealed by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 112(3)(4), Sch. 17 para. 35(1), Sch. 18

[^c7247951]: S. 8 repealed by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), ss. 12(2), 37(2), Sch. 4

[^c7248001]: S. 9 substituted for sections 9–11 by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), s. 37(1), Sch. 3 para. 37(1)

[^c7248011]: S. 9(1)(a)-(c) and the immediately preceding words “except where” substituted (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 16(1), Sch. 4 para. 11(1); S.I. 1996/218, art. 2.

[^c7248021]: Words in s. 9(6) substituted (15.2.1999) by 1998 c. 17, s. 50, Sch. 4 para. 12 (with Sch. 3 para. 5(1)); S.I. 1999/161, art. 2(1)

[^c7248051]: This version of this provision extends to Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Scotland only.

[^c7248061]: 1964 c. 29.

[^c7248071]: Words substituted by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(1)(3), Sch. 7 para. 26(2), Sch. 8 para. 33

[^c7248081]: This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Scotland only; a separate version has been created for Northern Ireland only.

[^c7248091]: 1964 c. 29.

[^c7248101]: Words in s. 12(2) substituted (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 16(1), Sch. 4 para. 11(2); S.I. 1996/218, art. 2.

[^c7248111]: Words substituted by virtue of Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(1)(3), Sch. 7 para. 26(2), Sch. 8 para. 33

[^c7248121]: S.13 repealed by Gas Act 1980 (c. 37, SIF 44:2), s. 1(4)

[^c7248131]: S. 14(1) restricted by S.I. 1987/2175, art. 2

[^c7248141]: Words substituted by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 112(1)(3), Sch. 16 para. 22, Sch. 17 para. 35(1)

[^c7248151]: S. 15 functions of Secretary of State now exercisable by Minister of Transport: S.I. 1980/1719, arts. 2, 3

[^c7248161]: S. 16 repealed by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 112(3)(4), Sch. 17 para. 35(1), Sch. 18

[^c7248171]: Words substituted by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), s. 12(2)

[^c7248181]: 1889 c. 63.

[^c7248191]: Word repealed by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), s. 37(2), Sch. 4

[^c7248211]: Words repealed (E.W.S.) by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(3)(4), Sch. 8 para. 17, Sch. 9 Pt. I

[^c7248221]: Words substituted by virtue of (E. W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F, 289G and (N.I.) S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), art. 5

[^c7248231]: Words substituted (E.W.S.) by Co-operative Development Agency and Industrial Development Act 1984 (c. 57, SIF 64), s. 5(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II para. 2

[^c7248241]: Words substituted (N.I.) by Industrial Development Act 1982 (c. 52, SIF 64), Sch. 2 para. 14

[^c7248261]: 1982 c. 52.

[^c7248271]: Words substituted (E.W.S.) by Co-operative Development Agency and Industrial Development Act 1984 (c. 57, SIF 64), s. 5(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II para. 2

[^c7248281]: Words inserted by S.I. 1989/992, art. 6(4), Sch. 2 para. 2(b)

[^c7248291]: Power of appointment conferred by s. 23(2) fully exercised

[^c7248301]: This version of this provision extends to Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Scotland only

[^c7248311]: 1960 c. 16.

[^c7248321]: 1972 c. 20.

[^c7248331]: This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Scotland only; a separate version has been created for Northern Ireland only

[^c7248341]: Word substituted by Transport Act 1980 (c. 34, SIF 107:1), s. 43(1), Sch. 5 Pt. II

[^c7248351]: Words substituted by virtue of Transport Act 1980 (c. 34, SIF 126), s. 43(1), Sch. 5 Pt. II and Transport Act 1985 (c.67, SIF 126), s. 1, Sch. 1 para. 3(2)

[^c7248361]: 1985 c.67 (126).

[^c7248381]: Para. 1(1)(aa) inserted by Transport Act 1985 (c. 67, SIF 126), s. 1, Sch. 1 para. 3(3)

[^c7248391]: The word “;and” and para. 1(1)(c)(d) inserted by Transport Act 1980 (c. 34, SIF 126), s. 43(1), Sch. 5 Pt. II

[^c7248401]: Words substituted by Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 (c. 14, SIF 107:1), s. 88(2), Sch. 7 para. 21

[^c7248411]: Words repealed by Transport Act 1985 (c. 67, SIF 126), ss. 1, 139(3), Sch. 1 para. 3, Sch. 8

[^c7248421]: 1981 c.14. (107:1)

[^c7248431]: Words inserted by Transport Act 1985 (c. 67, SIF 126), s. 1, Sch. 1 para. 3

[^c7248441]: Word repealed by Transport Act 1985 (c. 67, SIF 126), s. 139(3), Sch. 8

[^c7248451]: Para. 1(1)(d) repealed by Transport Act 1985 (c. 67, SIF 126), s. 139(3), Sch. 8

[^c7248481]: 1981 c. 14 (107:1).

[^c7248501]: 1985 c.67 (126).

[^c7248521]: Words substituted by Road Traffic (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988 (c. 54, SIF 107:1), s. 4, Sch. 3 para. 17(a)

[^c10403081]: Sch. 1 para. 2 substituted (1.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/1974, regs. 1(2)(b), 5, Sch. 4 para. 3

[^c7248571]: 1968 c. 73.

[^c7248581]: Words substituted by Road Traffic (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988 (c. 54, SIF 107:1), s. 4, Sch. 3 para. 17(b)

[^c7248601]: Words substituted by Road Traffic (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988 (c. 54, SIF 107:1), s. 4, Sch. 3 para. 17(c)

[^c7248611]: Sch. 2 paras. 1–4 amended by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 35(7), s. 112(3), Sch. 17 para. 35(1)

[^c7248621]: Sch. 2 para. 1 amended (1.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/231(N.I. 1), art. 38(7); S.R. 1992/117, art. 3(1).

[^c7248631]: Sch. 2 paras. 1–4 amended by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 35(7), s. 112(3), Sch. 17 para. 35(1)

[^c7248641]: Sch. 2 para. 2 amended (1.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/231(N.I. 1), art. 38(7); S.R. 1992/117, art. 3(1).

[^c7248651]: Sch. 2 paras. 1–4 amended by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 35(7), s. 112(3), Sch. 17 para. 35(1)

[^c7248661]: Sch. 2 para. 3 amended (1.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/231(N.I. 1), art. 38(7); S.R. 1992/117, art. 3(1).

[^c7248671]: Sch. 2 paras. 1–4 amended by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 35(7), s. 112(3), Sch. 17 para. 35(1)

[^c7248681]: Sch. 2 para. 4 amended (1.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/231(N.I. 1), art. 38(7); S.R. 1992/117, art. 3(1).

[^c7248691]: Words repealed by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 112(3)(4), Sch. 17 para. 35(1), Sch. 18

[^c7248701]: S.I. 1972/538.

[^c7248741]: Sch. 2 paras. 7, 8 amended by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 35(7), s. 112(3), Sch. 17 Para. 35(1)

[^c7248751]: Sch. 2 para. 7 amended (1.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/231(N.I. 1), art. 38(7); S.R. 1992/117, art. 3(1). Sch. 2 para. 7: disclosure powers extended (14.12.2001) by 2001 c. 24, s. 17, Sch. 4 para. 15

[^c7248761]: Sch. 2 paras. 7, 8 amended by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 35(7), s. 112(3), Sch. 17 Para. 35(1)

[^c7248771]: Sch. 2 para. 8 amended (1.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/231(N.I. 1), art. 38(7); S.R. 1992/117, art. 3(1).

[^c7248781]: O.J. L120/3

[^c7248791]: O.J. L120/7

[^c7248801]: O.J. L32/1

[^c7248811]: O.J. L349/1

[^c7248821]: O.J. L45/1

[^c7248831]: 1972 c. 68.

[^c7248841]: The text of Sch. 4 Pt. 1 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

[^c7248851]: 1973 c. 67.

[^c7248861]: S.I. 1974/2160

[^c7248871]: S.I. 1975/63

[^c7248881]: S.I. 1976/1204

[^c7248891]: S.I. 1976/1840

[^c7248901]: S.I. 1973/2051

[^c7248911]: S.I. 1973/2053

[^c7248921]: S.I. 1973/2054

[^c7248931]: S.I. 1973/2160

[^c7248941]: 1889 c. 63.

[^c7248951]: 1954 c. 33 (N.I.)

[^key-65ed9dd440adff2f3b5ddbbeb3af06f7]: S. 5 inserted (19.1.2005) by Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (c. 36), s. 34(1), Sch. 2 para. 14; S.I. 2004/3281, art. 2(3)(4)(a)