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(AP) - POWER PLANTS: Vietnam is pressing ahead with its civilian nuclear energy program despite safety fears over the technology following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Facing an energy crunch, Vietnam wants to build seven nuclear plants in the coming years.
SEEKING HELP: Foreign companies and governments are competing to get a toehold in an industry that could be worth an estimated $50 billion by 2030. But Japan's nuclear disaster overhangs the plans. Its nuclear plants are still shuttered following the March 2011 tsunami that caused a triple meltdown at the coastal Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant.
U.S. SUPPORT: The United States and Vietnam recently disclosed they had agreed to allow U.S. firms to develop civilian nuclear power in Vietnam. Once President Barack Obama and U.S. energy officials sign it, Congress will have 90 days to either challenge it or let it take effect.
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