Nuclear power generation was a contentious topic during the Senate's consideration of energy overhaul legislation. While pro-nuclear lawmakers view the energy source as a long-term solution to U.S. energy needs, Progressives oppose nuclear power generation based on its potential for catastrophic human and environmental damage. In drafting the Senate's energy legislation, Natural Resources Committee Chairman Domenici (R-NM) inserted provisions in the bill which would provide federal loan guarantees for the construction of nuclear power plants and authorize the Energy Department to purchase electricity from those plants. During Senate debate on the energy plan, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) proposed striking the federal loan guarantees for nuclear power plant construction that were inserted in the bill by Senator Domenici. Progressives voted in favor of Wyden's measure because, in their view, nuclear power generation poses serious human and environmental risks; developing renewable energy sources, they argued, offered a safer and more sustainable approach for energy production. On a close vote of 48-50, the Wyden amendment was defeated.