"What Does $36B in Nuclear Loan Guarantees Buy Democrats?"

"The Obama administration extended a helping hand to the nuclear industry last week by proposing to expand nuclear power loan guarantee authority by $36 billion, putting into action its long-stated support for the energy source.

The question now is what the White House has to gain by providing a total of $54 billion in loan guarantee authority for nuclear projects.

The move is not necessarily enough to get Wall Street to jump in to finance a 'nuclear renaissance.' And while it may soften GOP rhetoric toward the Democrats on nuclear power, it could give away a key bargaining chip needed to obtain Republican support for a bill to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Republicans last week praised Obama's overtures, but none offered any change of heart on policy matters."

Katherine Ling reports for Greenwire February 9, 2010.

 

Source: Greenwire, 02/10/2010