WASHINGTON (October 23, 2009)—Environmentalists once vilified nuclear energy, but less so lately because of the push to curtail greenhouse gases.

Nuclear energy has become a pivotal bargaining chip as Senate Democrats seek Republican votes to pass climate legislation.

The nuclear industry's long-standing campaign to rebrand itself as green appears to be gaining acceptance.

Nuclear power still faces daunting challenges, including what to do with radioactive waste.

Reactors also remain tempting targets for terrorists.

But 104 power reactors in 31 states provide a fifth of the nation's electricity while producing essentially carbon free power and no greenhouse gas emissions, which is something the nuclear industry has been pushing for nearly a decade.

But it has only recently begun to resonate, not only among supporters, but some skeptics as well.