Agence France-Presse: US Energy Secretary Steven Chu backed a new generation of nuclear power Wednesday, and said a panel of experts would report back this year on the best long-term storage of radioactive waste. The Nobel laureate scientist, chosen by President Barack Obama to lead an ambitious drive for renewable energy, said nuclear power was also an “essential part of our energy mix” along with cleaner coal and carbon capture. Chu said he was convening a “blue-ribbon panel” of experts to …