Senators promote renewables while DOE helps nuclear make a comeback

In Washington, two senators have circulated draft legislation that would promote low-carbon energy from renewable sources and nuclear plants. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) called for a national renewable electricity standard that would require utilities to obtain an ever-increasing percentage of their power from sustainable sources, including geothermal. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) has released a “discussion draft” that proposes a number of financial incentives and a simplified permitting process for new nuclear power plants. The drafts are parts of an energy initiative that the two senators have been developing with Massachusetts Democrat Sen. John Kerry. In 2009, the posibility of combining a renewable electricity standard with a cap-and-trade system to curb greenhouse gas emissions was discussed. However, it is now thought that a cap-and-trade agreement may not be reached this year, but a renewable energy standard may be achievable. Meanwhile, the Energy Department has offered conditional commitments for a total of $8.33 billion in loan guarantees for the construction and operation of two new nuclear reactors at a plant in Burke, Georgia. The project will be the first U.S. nuclear power plant to break ground in nearly thirty years.