"Energy Czar Sees China Surpassing U.S., Urges Investment"

"The U.S. is losing its edge in energy innovation to China, and it's time to reclaim it for the sake of future economic prosperity, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said in a speech on Monday.

Chu, a physicist and Nobel laureate, argued that the U.S. government should increase funding for energy research and development. A presidential science commission made the same recommendation Monday in a new report.

'China is doing this,' Chu said. 'It seems to be working. We should be doing this.'

America's long leadership in scientific innovation is at risk, and China is pulling ahead in many ways, Chu said."

Renee Schoof reports for McClatchy Newspapers November 29, 2010.