Countries that support non-proliferation of nuclear weapons will have no opposition from the US if they seek to adopt civil nuclear power.

"We support the adoption of [civil] nuclear energy by countries who are living up to their non-proliferation obligations," assured US Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel B Poneman at a small press conference just after the conclusion of the International Conference on Access to Civil Nuclear Energy, in Paris, on Tuesday.

"The US position is that nuclear energy represents a significant source of carbon free electricity."

"I think we've arrived at a unique moment in our history," he affirmed. "We have an opportunity here to address climate change." This created a unique opportunity to bring nuclear power to a large number of countries, but this also carried with it a great responsibility - to do this safely and to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Regarding civil nuclear energy in the US, Poneman highlighted that President Barack Obama had ordered the setting up of a "blue ribband" commission (that is, a commission composed of very eminent people) to look at the future course for nuclear energy in the country, including the disposal of spent fuel and nuclear waste.

Only a few weeks ago, the US government issued loan guarantees worth more than $8-billion to support the construction of two new nuclear power plants in the country - the first in about a quarter of a century. The first of these is at Vogtel in the state of Georgia.

"Ground has already been broken at Vogtel and long lead time items are being ordered," reported Poneman. "They will be completed in 2017 and 2018."

"Quite a number" of more nuclear power plant projects are now seeking licensing.

"We have a loan guarantee authority of $18,5-billion; these first two nuclear plants took just over $8-billion, so we have the loan authority for at least another two," he summed up.

"President Obama has asked Congress to increase the amount available for loan guarantees, so we should have enough loan guarantees for six to nine new nuclear power plants."

Currently, the US has 104 operating nuclear power plants, generating 20% of the country's electricity. However, significantly, these nuclear plants account for no less than 70% of America's greenhouse gas free generation. The US Department of Energy is currently doing research and development work on safely extending the life of America's current nuclear power plants from the originally planned 60 years to as much as 80 years.

Keith Campbell is in Paris as a guest of the French government