CRCARE conference_Nuclear Power_FINAL

A FLEXIBLE TEAM OF COMMERCIALLY SAVVY GEEKS Sydney, Melbourne | www.gemaker.com.au | @gemaker

Sharon Kelly

Media and Communications Specialist

gemaker

Twitter: @thaiso @gemaker

Mobile: +61 414 780 077

[email protected]

Public Engagement and

Nuclear Energy National Workshop on Nuclear Energy

Tuesday, 16 June 2015

mailto:[email protected]

A FLEXIBLE TEAM OF COMMERCIALLY SAVVY GEEKS

Nuclear experience –ANSTO (2002-9)

Highlights:

Construction and launch of

OPAL

closing of HIFAR,

three spent fuel shipments


Transparent strategy

Respected spokespersons …and more.

Audience research

Media relationships

Responsive Engaged staff and community

Online Social media School education

Dr Ron Cameron

Dr Ziggy Switkowski

Dr Ian Smith


Nuclear energy’s current position

• Climate change and carbon emission reduction needs

• Demand for energy rising @ +2% a year

• Reduce (eventually cease) coal as base-load energy source -What’s to replace coal?

• Alternative energy sources – renewables 23.5% agreed, CCS (clean coal), hydro, solar, wind

•Nuclear discussion commencing – SA Royal Commission

• Briefing of MPs on Small Module Reactors and nuclear industry

• New Energy white paper but no confirmed commitment


Why nuclear?

“Nuclear energy has the potential to

supply electricity to countries without

alternate fuel resources, to contribute to

climate stabilisation by producing

electricity without CO2 emissions, and to

displace fuels that lead to air pollution.”

Professor Neil Todreas, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The Conversation, 20 May 2015


“Nuclear power opposition to

continue even when as viable

solution to climate change”

42% (majority) willing to accept nuclear power to help tackle

climate change

A 2010 Energy Policy online nationwide survey

40% NOT willing to accept nuclear power

Post Fukushima (11 March 2011) repeated survey (2012)

71% Expanding renewable energy sources

58% most popular option, then energy-efficient technologies and

54% behavioural change

* Online research by Energy Policy, Nuclear power in Australia: A comparative analysis of public opinion regarding climate change and the

Fukushima disaster ,Volume 65, Elsevier February 2014,


A 2014 independent survey of 1214 South Australians, commissioned by SACOME found support for nuclear power

Public opinion

48.00%

45%

64%

52%

54%

52%

60%

19.50%

26%

17%

23%

21%

22%

22%

32.60%

29%

19%

25%

26%

26%

18%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Total

Female

Male

18-34

35-50

51-65

65+

Total Support

Neutral

Total Oppose


Getting engaged

Clear objective and vision - bipartisan

E.g. Nuclear should be part of the low carbon energy mix

Healthy budget for advertising, promotion of surveys, engagement

tools, plus results (seek private funding)

Know your audience – polls and qualitative market research:

1. Stakeholder (govt & private) polls – what influencers really think

2. Public polls and market research – find knowledge gaps

3. Public education and consultation – information to face the fears and provides the facts

4. Post consultation poll – get new data post education

5. Evaluate and deliver results

Make a clear decision, stick to it and take action (e.g. change law)


Stakeholder management

Polls and research

Public information

presentations

Tours of relevant facilities

Visuals & videos

Website

a one stop shop

Social media

discussion, dispute, refute & reiterate

facts

Newsletters, blogs, posters & flyers

Media relations

Advertising

•print, online & electronic

Engagement tools


Keep it simple

• Credible

• Expert nuclear spokesperson from industry & business

• Local & overseas

RIGHT leadership

• Keep short & stick to it

• Make it personal – get into peoples lives

Messages

• Keep people to date on progress

• Don’t get too technical – tell people what they want to know, use analogies to describe facts

• Once engaged, STAY engaged

Update & Engage


Waste management and

transport

Nuclear safety & proliferation

Environmental effects

Health effects

Community impact

Cost and technical issues

Address the nuclear fears


Industry safety comparisons

Waste managed safely and

small volume

Proven, safe & well established

439 reactors operable in 31

countries, generating 11% of

world electricity in 2013.

Low carbon emitting

technology

Provides base load electricity to

support renewables

Radiation facts

Nuclear plants can be small (eg

SMRs for small

grid systems and remote

communities)

Provide the facts, dispel the myths


Provides jobs and supports industry

Whole life costs low

New reactors managing waste &

use waste as fuel

Recycling uranium from reprocessing reduce uranium mining

Lessons & outcomes from the past – Fukushima, Chernobyl, Three

Mile Island

Nuclear benefits

What others are doing

Provide the facts dispel the myths


Create

Engagement

Disc

ussio

n

Participation

Loya

lty

Content


Engagement example Wylfa Newydd Project UK new reactors pre-application Public Consultation (29 September

and 8 December 2014) Anglesey and North Wales. Current reactor closes 2015.

Project liaison group – ongoing

35 public events, drop-in sessions and information points including school children and ‘hard to reach’ groups.

Community letters and emails

Posters

Dedicated website, clear documents and feedback area

Media and advertising

Results:

Over 800 attendees

Hundreds of comments, phones calls and letters


A self-perpetuating

base power source not

reliant on the elements

& minimum mining

Reliable & versatile

energy source

Power production with no or minimal waste and low

carbon emissions

Continued nuclear research to further develop this

potential

Ultimate vision for the future


Sydney, Melbourne | www.gemaker.com.au | @gemaker

Thank you -

& special thanks

to …

Dr Ziggy Switkowski, Tony Irwin (SMR Nuclear

Technology) and ANSTO

CRCARE conference_Nuclear Power_FINAL

Documents