British Nuclear Energy Society
The Organization
The British Nuclear Energy Society(BNES) is a Westminster-based lobby group set up to promote nuclear power. The organization has close links to nuclear companies including BNFL and British Energy and it shares its Westminster address with Supporters of Nuclear Energy.
On December 5, 2004, The Independent on Sunday reports:
- The Energy minister, Mike O'Brien, says the Government is not partisan about nuclear energy. After the Nuclear Industry Association/British Nuclear Energy Society annual conference on Thursday, he said the market, not the Government, must decide whether we need more generation capacity, and what kind.[1]
Spinnig Pro-Nuke Schools and Universities
In July 2005, BNES was given £10,000 by BNFL towards its newly established "Education and Training Fund". The Society was seeking money for this "important subject particularly with what I am sure will be the reaissance of new build", acccording to Ian Andrews, the Secretary of BNES. [I. Andrews (2005) Letter to Pauline Deans, 12 July]
The money came with slight strings attached from BNFL. According to Pauline Deans, Community Affairs from BNFL, "due to our significant presence in the North West and Cumbria in particular, we would wish to see a fair proportion of the beneficiaries from these areas." [P. Deans (2005) Letter to Ian Andrews, BNES, 11 July]
Because of BNFL's "most generous" donation, the money "will enable the Society to pursue one of its important aims, namely education and training. We are hoping to establish prizes at those Universities which offer a nuclear sicence course, and this coming summer the Society is sponsoring two graduates to attend the World Nuclear University's Summer School at Idaho Falls". [Secretary (2005), Letter to Rob Jarvis, 7 June
Related Articles
- Robert Blackhurst, Your Planet: Clouding the atmosphere, The Independent, September 19, 2005
- Tim Webb, Reborn: nuclear energy prepares for a second chance, Independent on Sunday, December 5, 2004
