Gas Act 1986
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(See end of Document for details) View outstanding changes Gas Act 1986 1986 CHAPTER 44 An Act to provide for the appointment and functions of a Director General of Gas Supply and the establishment and functions of a Gas Consumers’ Council; to abolish the privilege conferred on the British Gas Corporation by section 29 of the Gas Act 1972; to make new provision with respect to the supply of gas through pipes and certain related matters; to provide for the vesting of the property, rights and liabilities of the British Gas Corporation in a company nominated by the Secretary of State and the subsequent dissolution of that Corporation; to make provision with respect to, and to information furnished in connection with, agreements relating to the initial supply of gas won under the authority of a petroleum production licence; and for connected purposes. [25th July 1986] Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:— Extent Information E1 Act, except for specified provisions, does not extend to N.I., see s. 68(6) Modifications etc. (not altering text) C1 Act applied (8.11.1995) by 1995 c. 45, s. 17(2) C2 Act: references to the Director General of Gas Supply ("the Director") shall be read as references to the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority ("the Authority") (20.12.2000) by virtue of Utilities Act 2000 (c. 27), s. 3(2); S.I. 2000/3343, art. 2, Sch. C3 Act: references to a public gas transporter or to the holder of a licence under section 7 of the 1986 Act shall have effect as if they were references to a gas transporter (1.10.2001) by virtue of Utilities Act 2000 (c. 27), s. 76(7); S.I. 2001/3266, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3-20) C4 Act: transfer of functions (1.10.2008) by Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (c. 17), ss. 30(3)(a), 66(2) (with s. 6(9), Sch. 3); S.I. 2008/2550, art. 2, Sch. 2 Gas Act 1986 (c. 44) Part I – Gas Supply Document Generated: 2021-07-07 Changes to legislation: There are outstanding changes not yet made by the legislation.gov.uk editorial team to Gas Act 1986. Any changes that have already been made by the team appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. (See end of Document for details) View outstanding changes PART I GAS SUPPLY Modifications etc. (not altering text) C5 Pt. I: definition of "public gas supplier" applied (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57, SIF 130), ss. 208(3)(b), 225(2) (with ss. 16(6), 179, 222(3), Sch. 22 para. 1, Sch. 23 para. 6) Pt. I: definition of "public gas supplier" applied (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57, SIF 130), ss. 178, 225(2), Sch. 22 para. 1(4)(e) (with ss. 16(6), 179, 222(3), Sch. 22 para. 1, Sch. 23 para. 6) Pt. I applied (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 6(7); S.I. 1996/218, art. 2 Pt. I applied (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 16(1), Sch. 4 para. 1; S.I. 1996/218, art. 2 Introductory F11 . Textual Amendments F1 S. 1 repealed (7.11.2000) by 2000 c. 27, s. 108, Sch. 8; S.I. 2000/2974, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-12) F22 . Textual Amendments F2 S. 2 repealed (7.11.2000) by 2000 c. 27, s. 108, Sch. 8; S.I. 2000/2974, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-12) F33 . Textual Amendments F3 S. 3 repealed (1.10.2001) by 2000 c. 27, s. 108, Sch. 8; S.I. 2001/3266, arts. 1(2), 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-20) [F44AA The principal objective and general duties of the Secretary of State and the Authority. (1) The principal objective of the Secretary of State and the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (in this Act referred to as “the Authority”) in carrying out their respective functions under this Part is to protect the interests of [F5existing and future] consumers in relation to gas conveyed through pipesF6.... Gas Act 1986 (c. 44) 3 Part I – Gas Supply Document Generated: 2021-07-07 Changes to legislation: There are outstanding changes not yet made by the legislation.gov.uk editorial team to Gas Act 1986. Any changes that have already been made by the team appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. (See end of Document for details) View outstanding changes [ Those interests of existing and future consumers are their interests taken as a whole, F7(1A) including— (a) their interests in the reduction of gas-supply emissions of targeted greenhouse gases; F8... (b) their interests in the security of the supply of gas to them[F9; and (c) their interests in the fulfilment by the Authority, when carrying out its functions as designated regulatory authority for Great Britain, of the objectives set out in Article 40(a) to (h) of the Gas Directive.] (1B) The Secretary of State and the Authority shall carry out their respective functions under this Part in the manner which the Secretary of State or the Authority (as the case may be) considers is best calculated to further the principal objective, wherever appropriate by promoting effective competition between persons engaged in, or in commercial activities connected with, the shipping, transportation or supply of gas conveyed through pipes. (1C) Before deciding to carry out functions under this Part in a particular manner with a view to promoting competition as mentioned in subsection (1B), the Secretary of State or the Authority shall consider— (a) to what extent the interests referred to in subsection (1) of consumers would be protected by that manner of carrying out those functions; and (b) whether there is any other manner (whether or not it would promote competition as mentioned in subsection (1B)) in which the Secretary of State or the Authority (as the case may be) could carry out those functions which would better protect those interests.] (2) [F10In performing the duties under subsections (1B) and (1C), the Secretary of State or the Authority shall have regard to] — (a) the need to secure that, so far as it is economical to meet them, all reasonable demands in Great Britain for gas conveyed through pipes are met; and (b) the need to secure that licence holders are able to finance the activities which are the subject of obligations imposed by or under this Part[F11, the Utilities Act 2000 [F12, Part 5 of the Energy Act 2008 or section 4, Part 2, or sections 26 to 29 of the Energy Act 2010]][F13; and (c) the need to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.] (3) In performing [F14the duties under subsections (1B), (1C) and (2)] , the Secretary of State or the Authority shall have regard to the interests of— (a) individuals who are disabled or chronically sick; (b) individuals of pensionable age; (c) individuals with low incomes; and (d) individuals residing in rural areas; but that is not to be taken as implying that regard may not be had to the interests of other descriptions of consumer. (4) The Secretary of State and the Authority may, in carrying out any function under this Part, have regard to— F15(a) the interests of consumers in relation to electricity conveyed by distribution systems (within the meaning of the M1Electricity Act 1989); and (b) any interests of consumers in relation to— 4 Gas Act 1986 (c. 44) Part I – Gas Supply Document Generated: 2021-07-07 Changes to legislation: There are outstanding changes not yet made by the legislation.gov.uk editorial team to Gas Act 1986. Any changes that have already been made by the team appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. (See end of Document for details) View outstanding changes [F16(i) communications services and electronic communications apparatus, or] (ii) water services or sewerage services (within the meaning of the M2Water Industry Act 1991), which are affected by the carrying out of that function. (5) Subject to [F17subsections (1B) and] (2) [F18and to section 132(2) of the Energy Act 2013 (duty to carry out functions in manner best calculated to further delivery of policy outcomes)] , the Secretary of State and the Authority shall carry out their respective functions under this Part in the manner which he or it considers is best calculated— (a) to promote efficiency and economy on the part of persons authorised by licences or exemptions to carry on any activity, and the efficient use of gas conveyed through pipes; (b) to protect the public from dangers arising from the conveyance of gas through pipes or from the use of gas conveyed through pipes [F19or the provision of a smart meter communication service] ; F20(ba) . (c) to secure a diverse and viable long-term energy supply, [F21and F22... shall] have regard, in carrying out those functions, to the effect on the environment of activities connected with the conveyance of gas through pipes [F23or the provision of a smart meter communication service] .