Nuclear Industry Association

People

• Philip Dewhurst- Chair

• Keith Parker - Chief Executive

• Norman Buckley Business Development Manager

• Sandra Evenden Accounts Administrator

• Simon James Communications Manager

• Miranda Kirschel -Corporate Affairs Manager

In Bed With the Sceptics

The NIA has had close involvement with the known climate sceptic and pro-GM 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." [1]

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. [2] 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 [3]

In June 2005, the NIA held a a futher debate with the Alliance called "The Challenge for Nuclear: The Policy, the Science and the Need for Public Engagement."[4]

Nuclear Media Training

Several key members of NIAUK - Simon James, Miranda Kirschel, Ruth Stanway and Keith Parker, were the recipients of an email from Belinda Yates, from BNFL's corporate affairs along with, amongst others, Professor Phil Thomas from City Univerty, Lisa Woolhouse and Philip Dewhurst, Sue Ion, Richard Mayson, and Adrian Bull from BNFL, entitled: "Media Training Workshop 2"

The email, dated 2 June 05 stated:

"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."

The date proposed for the Media Training was 31st August.

Keith Parker responded by saying:

"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." [K. Parker (2005) RE: Media Training Workshop 2, Email to Sue Ion and Belinda Yates, 3 June]

Behind the 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." [5]. 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." [K. Parker (2005) Re: If, Email, 5 March]

The programme had helped put nuclear back on the political agenda.

A 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]

At just over 8.AM that morning, Dorothy Seed from BNFL emailed Ruth Stanway at the NIA:

"Ruth

I would propose a letter from Keith as follows:

Dorothy

A recent survey by MORI on behalf of the nuclear industry shows that the percentage of MPs who would support building new nuclear power stations to replace existing capacity slightly exceeds those who would oppose it..." [D. Seed (2005) Email to Ruth Stanway, 5 October, ]

Why was NIA writing to the FT on behalf of BFNL?