Strong Nuclear Plank Could Lure GOP to Energy Bill from Energy on Page 1 Ects by $36 Billion, to a Total of Put on the Back Burner, the No- About $55 Billion
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SPECIAL SECTION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010 POLITICO Energy: Lights Out? 21 AP From left: Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) compose the so-called tripartisan team pushing for energy reform. Strong Nuclear Plank Could Lure GOP to Energy Bill From ENERGY on Page 1 ects by $36 billion, to a total of put on the back burner, the no- about $55 billion. tion of running without a major Obama also has instructed accomplishment could spook called We Can Lead, which in- Energy Secretary Steven Chu to some lawmakers enough to en- cludes a mix of pro-reform busi- create a commission to study and gage in the energy debate, which nesses, is taking the campaign to provide new recommendations typically is driven by regional the public by running television about how to manage nuclear fuel interests rather than party iden- and print ads urging Congress and waste — an issue that has be- tification. to “move swiftly and boldly” and deviled the industry and tied up In addition, the shift in empha- pass legislation. Congress. sis in the debate to job creation — The intensive lobbying effort A strong nuclear plank in a com- an issue that better fits the voters’ comes at a time when the so- prehensive bill is critical to Gra- top priorities — could make an called tripartisan team of Sens. ham and could be a lure for other energy and climate bill more ap- John Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsey Republicans, such as Tennessee pealing. Graham (R-S.C.) and Joe Lieber- Sen. Lamar Alexander, who is a White House officials point to man (I-Conn.) is working to de- longtime nuclear advocate. job expansions in the clean ener- velop a bill that can pass. Crane, who noted that Obama’s gy industry spurred by last year’s In addition, the White House public embrace of nuclear in- stimulus bill as a rare bright spot is working aggressively to dem- dustry was the top water cooler in the still sluggish economy. onstrate its willingness to make topic inside the industry the day The American Wind Energy significant compromises to get a after his speech, said one mission Association recently issued an bill passed. of the business leaders lobby- annual report that credited the “We’re going to need more than ing Congress is to “see if we can stimulus bill with fueling record Lindsey Graham,” Carol Browner, help expand the Lindsey Graham REUTERS growth despite the recession. who is overseeing the legislative circle. That’s what we are going to David Crane of NRG Energy is scheduled to meet with lawmakers Tuesday. “The wind manufacturing sec- effort at the White House, told try to do.” tor has the potential to employ POLITICO. “He’s very cognizant Lieberman has taken the lead kind of free-market, money-mak- ing them technical advice. many more Americans in green of that, as are we. As we demon- in drafting a nuclear plank for a ing opportunities that would un- The Senate has tentatively set jobs, but without a renewable strate that we are being pragmatic comprehensive bill. But it’s un- leash a burst of new investments aside time for a debate later this electricity standard to provide a and open to thinking about all of clear whether any other parts and inventions that could be sold spring, but the talks have been long-term market, the sector will the energy solutions, that will be of the legislation are even in the at home and abroad. slowed by negotiations among be slow to grow,” it said. important to some Republicans.” drafting stages. “What business leaders are Democrats about how to move Other business leaders also ar- Nowhere has the White House Graham, Lieberman and Kerry, saying is, if we don’t give them the bill forward and how many gue that before they can and will shifted its stance more clearly for now, are still privately meeting that certainty here, they are not committees could be involved. sink billions into new plants and than in the area of nuclear en- with members to gauge what each going to build their new facilities Such delays eventually will technologies, they first must be ergy — a topic President Barack could support and what could be- here. They are going to build them turn the calendar into the great- assured that there will be enough Obama didn’t even mention in come a deal breaker. somewhere else,” said Browner. est hurdle for the effort. domestic demand to justify such his first address to Congress last A great unknown is what the “That’s just a pragmatic business In any midterm election year, expenditures. year, outlining his administra- Senate might propose to replace decision. They are going to build most legislative business is pretty That helps explain why the tion’s goals. the House’s cap-and-trade pro- where demand is.” much set aside after the August business community has decided In addition to blessing an ex- gram, which has been vilified as The White House is monitor- recess. Given the widespread un- to become more engaged in the pansion of nuclear energy in his a “cap-and-tax” system by critics ing the Senate talks closely. In rest among voters, the window energy and climate debate. State of the Union speech last and deemed a nonstarter by Gra- late January, Graham, Lieberman for action could be even smaller “We are there to say we are con- month, the president’s budget ham. and Kerry met with chief of staff this year as lawmakers insist on cerned about jobs,” said Crane. calls for increasing Department But putting a price tag on car- Rahm Emanuel to assess their more time back in their districts “We are ready to invest billions of of Energy loan guarantee author- bon, many believe, is still essen- progress, and Browner and other and states. dollars, but we have to follow the ity for nuclear construction proj- tial to reform and spurring the White House officials are provid- But with health care reform plan laid out in Washington.”.