Associated Press writer H. Josef Hebert has an interesting piece about the importance of nuclear power in the debate over global warming, not just as a technical means to generate power without CO2 emissions, but as a political bargaining chip.

The industry’s long-standing campaign to rebrand itself as green is gaining footing as part of the effort to curtail greenhouse gases.

Nuclear power still faces daunting challenges, including the fate of highly radioactive reactor waste. Reactors remain a tempting target for terrorists, requiring ever vigilant security measures.

But 104 power reactors in 31 states provide one-fifth of the nation’s electricity. They also are producing 70 percent of essentially carbon-free power and are devoid of greenhouse gas emissions.

It’s something the nuclear industry has hammered away at in advertising and in lobbying on Capitol Hill for nearly a decade. Only recently, however, has the message begun to resonate among both industry supporters and skeptics.