Nuclear power was the big winner at last week’s Clean Energy Ministerial in Copenhagen, Denmark, as world leaders joined forces to promote the emissions-free energy source. Canada, Japan, and the United States took advantage of the setting to launch a research and promotional partnership titled Nuclear Innovation: Clean Energy Future (NICE Future). The United Kingdom, Russia, Poland, Romania, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates announced they have also joined the partnership, and at least a dozen additional nations expressed interest in doing the same.

New Jersey’s Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law last week a bill defining nuclear power as a zero-emissions energy source receiving many of the same privileges as wind and solar power. Senate President Steve Sweeney, also a Democrat, steered the bill through the upper legislative chamber against opposition from the Sierra Club.

Next-generation nuclear power, including the recycling and re-use of existing nuclear waste, presents ideal economic and environmental opportunities, the Nevadans Citizens Action Network reports in the Veterans Reporter News. Utilizing the most advanced technologies, transitioning to a nuclear-centered energy economy will keep energy prices low without any of the potential harms associated with 20th century nuclear technology.

China imported a record amount of liquefied natural gas in December as the nation shifted from a coal-powered economy. China’s increasing demand for natural gas as it slows its growth in carbon dioxide emissions opens up economic opportunities for U.S. natural gas producers.