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:

The nuclear industry has faced obstacles for many years, but is now entering an even more crucial period as government policy is neglecting the future and security of UK’s energy supply. Current government proposals are severely limiting the opportunities for the industry at a time when its contribution cannot be undervalued. As the Scientific Alliance recently wrote in a letter to the Financial Times on 1 September 2003, “The decision to abandon nuclear fuel reprocessing is further evidence of the Government’s neglectful attitude to the nuclear programme, and highlights genuine problems with its energy policy. It seems erroneous to adopt such an attitude to the nuclear option particularly when a comparatively efficient and emissions friendly alternative has yet to be discovered.�

The Energy White Paper our energy future - creating a low carbon economy, published by the government in February, proposes large obstacles to the progress of nuclear power at a time when the pressure to reduce carbon emissions is high. This anomalous approach by government requires urgent redress.

The goal of truly sustainable and emissions friendly energy has to include the nuclear industry.

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. Furthermore, he referred to the MARKAL energy model, and subsequent to the conference, a workshop was organised between NIA representatives and DTI modelling experts to further discuss the model’s capabilities.

Martin O’Neill MP, Chairman of the Trade & Industry Select Committee said subsequently to the conference “As the Chair of the Scientific Alliance’s 2020 vision - powering the UK’s future, I was impressed with its high standard and great contribution to the debate surrounding the publication of the Energy White Paper.�

Our dependence upon electricity should be encouraging the government to place a greater emphasis on scientific research into the reduction of perceived risks attached to nuclear energy and enabling it to play the role that is sufficient and necessary for the stability, security and reliability of energy supply in the UK. Often public opinion,, and consequent government policy, is shaped by unsound, unscientific perceptions. 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

In September 2004, the two organisations held two joint Seminar on "Nuclear Solutions - The Finnish Experience". The first was

[1]

Nuclear Solutions:

The Finnish Experience

A Scientific Alliance debate in assocation with NIA

Chair:

Bill Olner MP, All Party Parliamentary Group on Nuclear Energy

Speakers:

Mikko Elo, Social Democrat Member of Finnish Parliament

Timo Seppala, Communications Manager, Posiva

Hanna Tuominen, Municipality of Eurajoki and Rauma Region

Prof William Wilkinson, Scientific Alliance

Following broad public and Parliamentary debate on radioactive waste and new nuclear build, the Finnish parliament has ratified a decision in principle to construct a final spent nuclear fuel storage facility. What can the UK learn from the Finnish experience?

Wednesday 29 September 1:00pm (hot buffet from 12:30pm)

Hilton West Pier Hotel, Brighton

[2]

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