A powerful Republican congressman from North Carolina says the U.S. needs to do more to promote nuclear power around the world. Patrick McHenry is asking Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to help.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development provides financial help to distressed nations. It's helping Ukraine rebuild its power grid after recent Russian attacks.
While the bank can fund repairs and renovations to nuclear plants, it's forbidden to fund the construction of new reactors. McHenry says this is a problem since developing nations are turning to nuclear energy to meet emissions reduction targets.
He's written to Treasury Secretary Yellen, asking her to get the bank to change its policy since U.S. is the bank's largest shareholder. Otherwise, he says countries may turn to Russia or China for help with their energy needs.