[imgbelt img=nuke.jpg]Energy news from all over today. First, an academic study concludes that a strong climate bill could boost the U.S. economy, adding up to 1.9 million jobs by 2020. In particular, the report finds that states in the middle of the country won’t be disadvantaged by climate change legislations. From the report’s summary: “All 50 states can gain economically from strong federal energy and climate policy, despite the diversity of their economies and energy mixes…Contrary to what is commonly assumed, comprehensive national climate policy does not benefit the coasts at the expense of the heartland states. In fact, heartland states will gain more by reducing imported fossil fuel dependence because they are generally spending a higher proportion of their income on this low employment, high price risk supply chain. Demand side policies make a bigger difference for more carbon-dependent states, and carbon reduction opportunities represent riper and lower-hanging fruit.”Also, the Washington Post reports this morning, “Nuclear power — long considered environmentally hazardous — is emerging as perhaps the world’s most unlikely weapon against climate change, with the backing of even some green activists who once campaigned against it.”