Changes

Opponents of nuclear energy regard NEI as undoubtedly the power behind the current resurgence in nuclear power in the US.<ref>Lisa Rainwater van Suntum, [http://www.prwatch.org/prwissues/2005Q1/nuke2.html "Spinning Nuclear Power into Green",]''PR Watch'', Volume 12 No.1</ref> In March 2006 it launched its largest campaign in years to build support for nuclear energy, acciording to the ''Wall Street Journal''<ref>John Fialka, [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB113918919762465643.html?mod=todays_us_page_one "Nuclear Industry Plans Ad Push for New Plants",] ''Wall Street Journal,'' February 6, 2006. </ref> and ''PR Week''.<ref>Michael Bush, "NEI Efforts Aims to Build Support for Nuclear Plants", ''PR Week'', February 13, 2006</ref> The ad campaign - run by the PR firm [[Hill & Knowlton]] to promote a "nuclear renaissance" – aimed to prepare the ground for as many as four proposals for nuclear plants that are expected to enter the licensing process at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2007. NEI's Scott Peterson said the goal is to "build a broader base of bipartisan support, both in Washington and across the country." <ref>Smith & Harroff, [http://www.smithharroff.com/cs_nei.htm ''Two Cases Studies on Advertising Campaigns by Smith & Harroff for NEI'']</ref>

In January 2007, the NEI predicted a huge expansion of nuclear plants in the US - saying they had seen over 30 letters of intent to build new plants. "We see a wave,” said Steve Kerekes, from the NEI. "We definitely believe it’s going to be a whole new era of new plant construction in this country.”<ref>Mike Stuckey, [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16272910/ "New Nuclear Power 'Wave’ — or Just a Ripple? How Millions for Lobbying, Campaigns Helped Fuel U.S. Industry's Big Plans"], ''MSNBC'', January 22, 2007</ref>