Council calls for more public outreach by nuclear industry

The U.K. Nuclear Industry Council (NIC) issued a statement of principles on Thursday that calls for increased public outreach by the nuclear industry.

A report from the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) said the agreement requires that public concerns and discussions be considered in operational planning and strategy formation. It also requires that leaders in the industry communicate with the public and measure public opinion to help develop a better understanding among laypeople regarding civil nuclear generation.

“The industry already engages in public outreach – especially in areas where they operate or plan to build,” NIC Co-Chairman John Hutton said. “This can be through open public consultations or school events, but as an industry, we need to get the message to a wider audience -- to those people who aren’t in nuclear communities, but benefit from the low carbon, secure source of energy nuclear provides. The aim is to take the narrative beyond the media by encouraging people to be proud of the sector and the work they do, having the confidence to talk to other parents in the school playground, or to family and friends. Helping the wider public understand what nuclear is can help change opinion about the sector.”

The NIA said nuclear-power groups have voiced their support for the agreement, including the U.K. National Nuclear Laboratory.

Approximately 20 percent of electricity in the United Kingdom is generated through nuclear generation.