Obama calls for a mix of nuclear power, clean coal and natural gas for reaching clean electricity goals

US President Barack Obama used his State of the Union speech last night to set a clean electricity target for power plants by 2035, including power from sources like clean coal and natural gas. Obama called for investment in cleam technologies and urged Congress to eliminate billions of dollars in subsidies for oil companies.

"So instead of subsidizing yesterday's energy, let's invest in tomorrow's."

In last year's budget Obama had called for an end to nearly $40 billion in subsidies for oil, gas and coal companies, a proposal that failed.

Obama's position on energy includes nuclear power, clean coal, and natural gas, all of which are needed to meet the goal of 80 percent clean energy in less than 25 years.

"Some folks want wind and solar. Others want nuclear, clean coal, and natural gas," Obama said. "To meet this goal, we will need them all and I urge Democrats and Republicans to work together to make it happen."

Obama's earlier comprehensive energy bill, including the unpopular cap and trade provisions for carbon emissions, failed to pass in the Senate. A program that includes nuclear power and natural gas might prove more palatable to Congress.

To help push investments, the Department of Energy has offered billions in loan guarantees to help build the first U.S. nuclear power plant in nearly three decades.

While Obama stressed the need for research and investment in new technologies, Republicans were quick to criticize, saying that his policies of restricting drilling for domestic oil are blocking Americans' access to cheaper energy.