"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.