"Building a nuclear plant is a lot like trying to get a mortgage these days to build an expensive house. You might need someone to co-sign your loan.

'Now, they never pay any money, but they're there just in case,' says Jim Connaughton, executive vice president of Constellation Energy.

President Obama this week showed how serious he is about nuclear power by proposing to triple the money available for loan guarantees for nuclear plants for a total of $54 billion. His nuclear overture also sent the message that he is determined to woo supporters for climate change legislation, which is stuck in the Senate.

But environmental and taxpayer groups complain that the proposal would set up Americans for another expensive corporate bailout."

Elizabeth Shogren reports for NPR's All Things Considered February 3, 2010. [2]

See Also:

"The Administration Puts Its Own Stamp on a Possible Nuclear Revival" (ClimateWire) [3]

"Ruling Could Halt Nuclear Project" (New York Times) [4]