British Nuclear Energy Society

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The British Nuclear Energy Society was a learned society which in 2009 merged with the Institution of Nuclear Engineers (INucE) to create the Nuclear Institute, a professional body representing nuclear professionals in the UK.

Background

The British Nuclear Energy Society (BNES) called itself the "leading learned body for all persons interested in nuclear energy". In reality it was a Westminster-based lobby group set up to promote nuclear power. The organisation was closely linked to nuclear companies including BNFL and British Energy and Supporters of Nuclear Energy gave its contact details C/O its address. [1]

On December 5, 2004, The Independent on Sunday reported:

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. [2]

The Young Generation Network (YGN)

BNES was part of the YGN - an international network of young engineers and scientists established by the European Nuclear Society.

The chair was Becky Ferris UKAEA. Neil Crewdson British Nuclear Group, (Sellafield) was Co-Chair alongside Miranda Kirschel from the Nuclear Industry Association.

The Trustees

Spinning pro-nuke 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 renaissance of new build", acccording to Ian Andrews, the Secretary of BNES. [3]

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." [4]

Because of BNFL's "most generous" donation, in 2005 BNES said the money would "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". [5]

Spinning pro-nuclear schools

BNES and the Institute of Nuclear Engineers offered a school sponsorship scheme. In 2005 the schools selected to take part in the project where they receive £500 were:

  • Bury Grammer School (girls)
  • Carr Hill High School, Kirkham
  • Culcheth High School
  • Great Sankey High School, Warrington
  • Knutsford High School
  • Rivington and Blacrod High School, Horwich
  • St. John Almond Catholic High School, Liverpool

Contact information

1 Great George Street,
London, SW1P 3AA.
Tel: 020 7665 2241
Fax: 020 7799 1325
Web: http://www.bnes.com/

Notes

  1. SONE website
  2. Tim Webb, Reborn: nuclear energy prepares for a second chance, Independent on Sunday, 5 December, 2004.
  3. I. Andrews (2005) Letter to Pauline Deans, 12 July]
  4. P. Deans, Letter to Ian Andrews, BNES (pdf), 11 July, 2005.
  5. Secretary (2005), Letter to Rob Jarvis, 7 June

Related Articles

Resources

For further information, see relevant SourceWatch page British Nuclear Energy Society