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First Floor, Nuclear Industry Association<br>Whitehall Carlton House, <br>41 Whitehall, 22a St James’s Square<br>London, SW1A 2BY. <br>SW1Y 4JH<br>Tel: +44(0)20 7766 6640<br>Fax: +44(0)20 7839 1523<br>
===References===
<references/>
SW: add int links, catg, upd contact
According to [[Jonathan Leake]] and [[Dan Box]] writing in the ''New Statesman'', the NIA played a key role in the [[National debate on nuclear power (UK 2005-2006)|pro-nuclear energy PR offensive]] that began in 2004:
:[[Keith Parker]], chief executive of the NIA, confirms that the industry carefully co-ordinated and exploited the build-up to the election. "We discussed these things a lot," he said, "and we did see the election as an opportunity. There were several other things coming at the same time, such as the government's review of renewables [due out in June]. It gave us a good chance to raise the profile of [[nuclear power]]." The campaign co-ordinated by the NIA was designed to focus not on the historically dubious benefits of nuclear power but on the shortcomings of all the alternatives. [http://afr.com/articles/2005/05/26/1116950813750.html]
Parker's statement appears at odds with comments made a few months earlier by an NIA spokeswoman. [[Chris Grimshaw]] of [[Corporate Watch]] reported that:
:They [the NIA] denied conducting any proactive media relations work at all. They claim that their PR strategy is purely reactive, simply handling inquiries from journalists. Spokeswoman [[Ruth Stanway]] insisted that there is â??no "dark machiavellian conspiracyâ? conspiracy" pushing for new nuclear power stations. She attributed the high media profile of the issue to rising oil prices, [[Russia]]'s signing of the [[Kyoto Protocol ]] and Lovelock's public utterances. [http://archive.corporatewatch.org/newsletter/issue21/issue21_part2.htm]
==In Bed With bed with the Scepticssceptics==
The NIA has had close involvement with the known [[climate sceptic change skeptic]] and pro-GM ([[Genetic engineering|genetic modification]]) organisation the [[Scientific Alliance]] in their joint quest to push nuclear power.
In NIA's October/November 2003 newsletter, [[Mia Nybrant]] from the Scientific Alliance wrote that "The goal of truly sustainable and emissions friendly energy has to include the nuclear industry."
Nybant addded that "The [[Scientific Alliance]] has been playing a key role in challenging government energy policy. The highlight of the campaign so far was the The conference "2020 Vision - Powering the UK's Future" in May this year, which examined the scientific underpinnings of the major energy sources as set out in the Energy White Paper, and facilitated dialogue between the DTI and stakeholders. Adrian Ham, former Chief Executive of the NIA, put forward the case for nuclear power to retain a role in UK energy supply, warning of the perils of increased reliance on gas and the loss of nuclear expertise."
Nybrant talked about the clear need to change government policy: "Given the current state of the debate, there are clear challenges for the nuclear industry; however, they are not insurmountable as long as there is a focused programme to change the current government policy." [http://www.niauk.org/industrylink/article_46.shtml]
Just under a year later, in September 2004, the two organisations held two joint seminars on "Nuclear Solutions - The Finnish Experience". The first was at Portcullis House, in Westminster.
[http://www.scientific-alliance.org/events_items/future_events/nuclearsolutions_seminar.htm] The second was in Brighton to coincide with the Labour Party Conference. The chair of the second event was [[Bill Olner ]] MP, from the [[All Party Parliamentary Group on Nuclear Energy]]. [http://www.scientific-alliance.org/events_items/future_events/nuclearsolutions29sept04.htm]
The full costs of the visit of the Finnish nuclear experts for the seminas was paid for by [[BNFL]].<ref>K. Parker [http://www.spinprofiles.org/images/7/73/Nuc57.pdf Email Re: ''Agreement with Scientific Alliance'' (pdf)], 28 July, 2004.</ref>
According to the NIA: "Over sixty delegates from Parliament, Government departments, industry and academia congregated to listen to the 'French Experience' of the nuclear energy industry. In addition Professor [[Philip Thomas]] of City University gave a presentation on risk in the industry. Key players, including [[Gordon MacKerron]], Chair of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM), and [[Jamie Reed]], the new MP for Sellafield's constituency of Copeland, were present. The French Parliament Channel filmed the proceedings and interviewed Professor [[David Cope]], who heads the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology, and [[Lord Jenkin]] of Roding who offered their very positive impressions on the evening's revelations. So much has changed since the Battle of Trafalgar. We no longer see France as an adversary, but as an example to follow". [http://www.niauk.org/industrylink/article_126.shtml]
==Closer Coco-operation with the Unionsunions==
Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act show that the NIA are trying to forge closer ties to the unions in the new nuclear push. In October 2005, Keith Parker wrote a letter to Robbie Huston from BNFL:
:A couple of weeks ago [[Tony Cooper]] and I met [[Philip Dewhurst]] and Ipek to go through NIA's forward communications and public affairs plans. One of the items we discussed was improved co-operation between NIA and the industry's trade union organisations, and closer co-ordination and understanding of messages and activities. We are fairly close to TUSNE and are talking to them about forging stronger links with NIA. However Tony and I would like the opportunity to talk to officials of Nuclear 21 [[nUKlear21]] - who we know less well - to explain what NIA's strategy is, and explore whether there could be closer communication between us so that the industry and its advocates are giving consistent messages. Philip agreed this was a good idea and suggested we contact you to arrange a meeting up at Sellafield.<ref>K. Parker [http://www.spinprofiles.org/images/d/d8/Nuc67.pdf Email Re: ''Meeting BNFL Trade Unions'' (pdf)], 28 October, 2005.</ref>
==Nuclear Media Trainingmedia training==
Several key members of NIA - [[Simon James]], [[Miranda Kirschel]], [[Ruth Stanway]] and [[Keith Parker]], were the recipients of an email from [[Belinda Yates]], from [[BNFL]]'s Corporate Affairs Department, along with, amongst others, [[Professor Phil Thomas]] from City University, [[Lisa Woolhouse]] and [[Philip Dewhurst]], [[Sue Ion]], [[Richard Mayson]], and [[Adrian Bull]] from [[BNFL]], entitled: "Media Training Workshop 2"
"Dear All
You have been nominated to attend an upcoming one day [[media training ]] session with [[Weber Shandwick]] ... This media training will following [sic] on from the last training session held in March this year. However there will only be the 10 of you participating in this workshop and therefore it will be
a more 'hands on', intensive day with each of you partaking in television and radio interviews."
"Is it not possible to do it earlier? If, as we expect, the energy review is announced before Parilamentary recess in July we need to be well prepared to hit the airwaves confidently then, rather than in September. Best regards, Keith."<ref>K. Parker [http://www.spinprofiles.org/images/6/68/Nuc29.pdf Email RE: ''Media Training Workshop 2'' (pdf)], 3 June, 2005</ref>
==Behind the Scenes Briefing scenes briefing of the BBC==
In March 2005 the [[BBC ]] ran a series of programmes called "If" looking at future scenarios on different issues. One of the programmes was on energy. The BBC trailed the programme by asking: "Could Britain be facing a widespread, catastrophic power cut in the future? The short answer is yes." [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/if/3487048.stm]. The programme was widely perceived as raising the issue of an energy shortage in the UK.
In the programme, the BBC interviewed pro-nuclear government advisor Professor [[Ian Fells]] who was quoted as saying: "Unless we make decisions now our electricity will start to run out within five years." The programme also quoted [[Tony Cooper]], the Chair of the NIA.
In an email to colleagues including people from BNFL and [[British Energy]], [[Keith Parker]] said that "I and colleagues in NIA were involved in briefing the programme makers ... the programme is a powerful caution against relying on imported gas for Britain's electricity, and losing indigenous capacity."<ref>K. Parker [http://www.spinprofiles.org/images/e/ef/Nuc44.pdf Email Re: ''If'' (pdf)], 5 March, 2004</ref>
The programme had helped put nuclear back on the political agenda.
==Funded by BNFL, Funding funding SONE==
:Total Value: £102.2k"<ref>K. Parker [http://www.spinprofiles.org/images/d/dd/Nuc54.pdf ''Proposal for Provision of Services'', Letter to T. Dickinson (pdf)], 17 October, 2005.</ref>
== A Front For front for BNFL? ==
In July 2005, BNFL was asked to contribute to a special edition of ''Parliamentary Monitor'' on "future energy". Adrian Bull from BNFL wrote to colleagues that "I believe that any input should be via NIA based on our newly created briefing material ... Although we would of course be happy to work on it behind the scenes." [A. Bull (2005) Email to Belinda Yates, Richard Mayson and Brian Hoffmann, 20 July]
On 5th October 2005, The ''Financial Times'' ran an article by its political correspondent, Chris Adams, entitled "Blair risks revolt over new power stations", which stated: "[[Tony Blair ]] risks a backbench rebellion if he decides to build a new generation of nuclear power stations, with survey evidence showing nearly half of Labour MPs opposed to the idea."
[C. Adams (2005) Blair Risks Revolt Over New Power Stations, ''The Financial Times'', p2]
Why was NIA writing to the FT on behalf of BNFL?
==The "Important" 2005 Conference Season conference season - Cash cash for Accessaccess? ==
In July 2005, Keith Parker sent an email to numerous colleagues in the nuclear industry concerning the Autumn party conferences. Released under the Freedom of Information Act, most of the names have been blanked out, apart from John Mills and [[Philip Dewhurst]] at BNFL. The email read:
* Lib Dem Conference, Blackpool - On Monday, 19 September, the NIA sponsored a [[Centre for Reform]] fringe debate with [[John Thurso]] who has Dounreay in his constituency. The following evening it held a reception at the Imperial Hotel, followed by a Dinner;
* Labour Conference, Brighton - On Monday, 26 September [[TUSNE]] held a lunch at the same time as [[BNLF]] / New Statesman held an event together. That evening [[BNFL]] held a dinner. The following day, the NIA held a fringe meeting on the Economics of the New Build, with [[Lisa Woolhouse]] amongst others. In the evening there was the "British Nuclear Group" disco, called "rock around the clock". On the Wednesday the NIA sponsored a [[Fabian Society ]] debate on energy policy and in the evening the NIA/[[British Energy]] sponsored a TUSNE dinner.
* Conservative Conference, Blackpool - On Wednesday 5th October, the NIA held a reception and Dinner at the Imperial Hotel with [[Bernard Jenkin]] the Shadow Energy Minister for the Conservatives and [[Evan Harris]] for the Liberal Democrats.
BNFL donated £8225 to NIA for the "Party Conferences 2005" [NIA (2005) Invoice to BNFL - Contribution Towards Party Conferences 2005, 29 September]
== A "Front" Website website ==
In 2005, the web company, Activate Media, registered the website [[www.energy-choices.com]] on behalf of the NIA, as a response to the UK energy debate.
"In support of this objective the Energy Choices website aims to set out the facts and encourage fair debate on nuclear energy. This should help decision-making and ensure effective responses to the UK's future energy and environmental challenges".<ref>[http://www.energy-choices.com Energy Choices Website]</ref>
==NIA Membersmembers==
* ABB Limited
==Contact information==
Email: info AT niauk.org <br>
Website: http://www.niauk.org/ <br>
==Resources==
===SourceWatch resources===
*[[All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nuclear Energy]]
*[[British Nuclear Energy Society]]
*[[Civil Nuclear Industry Scottish CPG]]
*Dr [[John Mason]]
*[[Keith Parker]]
*[[National debate on nuclear power (UK 2005-2006)]]
*[[Supporters of Nuclear Energy]]
*[[The Secret Pro-Nuclear Push In British Schools]]
===References===
<references/>
===External links===
*Ravi Chandiramani, "[http://www.prweek.com/uk/news/article/565845/Nuclear+sector+hunts+public+champion/ Nuclear sector hunts for public champion]", June 22, 2006. (Sub req'd).
[[Category:Nuclear power]]{[[Category:United Kingdom]][[Category:Pro-nuclear organisations]][[Category:Pro-nuclear organisations in the UK]][[Category:Trade associations]]
