"Barack Obama put himself firmly behind the effort to get a climate change bill through Congress last night -- but said it must include a new generation of nuclear power.
The brief passage on energy and climate in Obama's state of the union address did deliver the signal Congress and much of the world had been seeking that the White House is ready to throw itself into the effort to pass legislation.
'This year, I am eager to help advance the bipartisan effort in the Senate,' he said.
But Obama made it clear that he supported a 'bipartisan' effort which would incorporate energy policies that are popular among Republicans – and fiercely opposed by the liberal wing of his own party.
'That means building a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in this country. It means making tough decisions about opening new offshore areas for oil and gas development. It means continued investment in advanced biofuels and clean coal technologies,' Obama said.
The endorsement for nuclear power and especially offshore drilling will be difficult for some Democratic voters to swallow."
Suzanne Goldenberg reports for the UK Guardian January 28, 2010.
See Also:
"Obama Aims To Win Climate Bill With Green Jobs" (Reuters)
"Obama Sticks To Climate Before Divided Congress" (AFP)
"Barton Makes Climate Skepticism Clear" (Post Carbon)
"White House to Dole Out $8 Billion in Rail Grants" (AP)
"World Stock Markets Gain After Obama Address" (AP)
"Climate Control Supporters Focus On Job Creation" (Reuters)
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