A coalition in support of clean-energy jobs rallied at the Colorado state Capitol Wed nesday to urge the U.S. Senate to pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act.
The bill calls for the nation’s first limits on pollution linked to global warming. It has already passed the House of Representatives.
Republicans were overwhelmingly against the measure, arguing it would destroy jobs in the midst of a recession while burdening consumers with a new tax in the form of higher energy costs.
Supporters who rallied in Denver on Wednesday included members of Colorado Interfaith Power and Light, the Denver Area Labor Federation and Colorado renewable energy businesses.
Gavin Clark, spokesman for Environment Colorado, said the proposed new laws would protect the environment and create jobs.
John Fleck, president of the Denver Area Labor Federation representing about 90,000 union members, said the legislation would create hundreds of new jobs refurbishing buildings, building transit lines, landscaping and installing solar panels.
