AP : Nuclear energy becomes pivotal in climate debate Nuclear energy gaining traction as Senate Democrats hunt for GOP votes to pass climate bill By H. Josef Hebert WASHINGTON (AP) — Nuclear energy, once vilified by environmentalists and facing a dim future, has become a pivotal bargaining chip as Senate Democrats hunt for Republican votes to pass climate legislation. The industry’s long-standing campaign to rebrand itself as green is gaining footing as part of the effort to curtail