US Set to Boost Funding For Clean Energy

The US could significantly boost funding for low emission coal and nuclear plants following increases to the US Energy Department 2009 budget, writes Reuters.

The budget includes US$25bn in discretionary budget authority for the department, up nearly five percent from 2008.

Research into cutting heat-trapping emissions from coal-burning power plants would receive US$648m, should the budget proposals meet congressional approval.

The US Energy Secretary Sam Bodman says the funds will allow the department to ensure the country's energy future is clean, safe and reliable.

Funding to encourage building new nuclear power plants was also up substantially, the news agency says.

Last month, President Bush announced the US would commit US$2bn over the next three years to a new international fund to promote clean energy technologies and fight climate change.

By Ozge Ibrahim