Nuking Hearts and Minds in Britain

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"We need to win hearts and minds in local communities and reassure people about safety," said Philip Dewhurst. He's not a military commander in Iraq or Afghanistan, but the chair of the British Nuclear Industry Association (NIA). NIA, which represents 120 "nuclear power station operators, equipment suppliers and waste management firms," is readying for the government of Prime Minister Tony Blair "to give the go-ahead for the building of new [nuclear] stations when it publishes the findings of the Energy Review next month." NIA created a new staff position, public relations head, "to champion the industry," reports PR Week. NIA's chief executive has said "he believes the public would support new plants built next to existing power stations, where residents are already assured of safety and where thousands of jobs are supported."