Hill & Knowlton (H&K) has won a $8 million account with the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) to promote "broad policymaker and decision-maker support for nuclear energy broadly and specifically for the Yucca Mountain project." (Yucca Mountain in Nevada has been designated by the U.S. government as the national nuclear waste dump). The Holmes Report states that H&K "will work alongside WPP sister company Penn Schoen & Berland, which will handle research and polling for the NEI, which represents utilities and nuclear technology companies." The NEI contract will include developing "a national coalition that would 'activate and expand on' existing nuclear energy supporters, engaging employees, shareholders, academics, health experts, and environmental organizations; 'pre-empting and offsetting' criticism from opponents." Hill & Knowlton declined to comment on their NEI work. Unsucessful bidders for the account were Burson-Marsteller and Dittus Communications.

"The 'green' advertising wave is on, as companies from Ford to General Electric to BP blitz the airwaves with concern for a clean planet," the International Herald Tribune reports. "Advocacy groups and politicians are now challenging those corporate assertions." For example, in a recent ad Ford claims it is "dramatically ramping up its commitment" to more environmentally friendly cars. "Left unstated in Ford's recent ads: In 2003, the No. 2 U.S. automaker after General Motors, dropped its promise to increase average fuel efficiency on its sport utility fleet. In 2004, the company joined other automakers in suing to block a California law that would limit emissions of gases linked to global warming. And even if Ford meets its goals, low-emission hybrids by 2010 would make up less than 4 percent of the company's fleet," the IHT reports. Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut's attorney general, called some of Ford's claims "questionable," telling the IHT, "They're definitely exploiting the fashion of environmentally friendly vehicles."

Washington, DC lobbyist Rick Berman must have a new client. Recently his front group, the Center for Consumer Freedom, launched a new website called FishScam.com along with a multimedia PR blitz including billboard and radio ads decrying the "hype" about health hazards of mercury in fish. "It's really extraordinary and extremely irresponsible," says Consumers Union director of food policy Jean Halloran. "Many people have educated themselves about this issue, but I'm concerned that less-educated women who don't realize he is industry-funded will take his advice."