‘Technology is the ticket’ for energy, Bush says

Nuclear background
On nuclear power, Bush noted that there has not been a new commercial nuclear power plant ordered in the United States since 1973.

Nuclear power accounts for about 20 percent of the country’s electricity. Some utilities have expressed interest in building a new reactor, perhaps as early as 2010, but want assurance of a smooth regulatory process to get financing.

To address their concern, the president directed the Energy Department to develop a federal “risk insurance” plan that would kick in if there were lengthy delays in licensing a new reactor. Administration officials acknowledged such a program would need congressional action and said they could not speculate on its cost.

LNG background
As for LNG terminal projects, they have been stymied in some regions by local opposition, even though the need for more LNG imports has been widely accepted.

Bush’s support for giving the federal government clear authority in locating LNG terminals comes after the House included such a provision in the energy bill it passed last week. Some lawmakers strongly opposed the measure, arguing it would deprive states and communities of a say in locating LNG import terminals at a time when a dozen or more such facilities may be built along the U.S. coast.

The critics say they fear that federal control over locating LNG import terminals will lead to facilities being put in populated areas where communities fear they are unsafe and might become terrorist targets.

A senior official said there are 32 proposals to build new terminals, and Bush’s proposal would “provide some regulatory certainty” in order to get them built. Rules on the terminals vary from state to state, and California, for example, has not wanted to cede state authority.

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