Nuclear energy and its exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been in the spotlight, especially as the world has been seeking out new energy sources as global warming intensifies and the world’s oil reserves come into question.

Evidently, Iran is seeking nuclear energy as an alternative to oil resources, due to the rumored 100-year supply that is left in the country. But for now, the United States is not as focused on this energy source. President-elect Barack Obama’s administration is for now being aimed at directing capital toward infrastructure and other alternative energy sources, reports Mitch Tuchman for Blogging Stocks.

Other countries are moving forward, though. As of Friday, both India and Russia signed accords on issues dealing with space exploration and nuclear energy. One of the accords covered the building of four new nuclear energy reactors in Kudankulam in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, reports Iftikhar Gilani for Daily Times Pakistan.

Russia has become the third country to sign an atomic energy agreement with India after the United States and France. The signing of the agreement is a milestone in the co-operation between Russia and India within the nuclear energy realm.

If more countries get on board with nuclear energy, ETFs could benefit from the push. This type of energy doesn’t have the rosiest reputation, but the industry seems to be attracting more interest.

If you are feeling a bit more energetic toward nuclear energy, the ETF from Van Eck offers global exposure for this source and gives coverage on a variety of aspects of nuclear energy. Holdings rage from uranium mining to fuel transport. The expense ratio is 0.65%, and country exposure ranges from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

• Market Vectors Nuclear Energy (NLR): down 50% year-to-date

Tags: Asia, Eastern Europe, Emerging Markets, India, NLR, Nuclear Energy, Obama, Russia