After nearly a full year of legislative activity, Congress approved legislation this week that makes major reforms to U.S. energy policy. In January 2007, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced a united goal of passing comprehensive energy policy reforms this year. At last approved by both chambers this week, the energy bill is on its way to President Bush for signature, but only after Democrats accepted many compromises to their original vision. Although the final bill includes little related to nuclear energy, the Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill contains important funding and policy provisions relating to the Department of Energy's loan guarantee program
