Business leaders lobby for climate bill

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Green energy business leaders rolled into Washington this week to press senators to approve a climate change bill that passed the House in June.

The Congressional Budget Office said the bill that puts a cap on greenhouse gas emissions would cost the average U.S. household about 44 cents a day -- the cost of a postage stamp, the San Jose Mercury News reported Thursday.

With an audience of green energy company executives, Energy Secretary Steven Chu asked, "is 44 cents a day worth it?"

"You should convince some of your senators who are on the fence that it is worth it," Chu said.

Critics of the bill say it will merely tax U.S. citizens for their energy use. Proponents say it will create a sudden demand for alternative energy products, such as solar energy panels and wind turbines.

Silicon Valley venture capitalist John Doerr said the debate on the bill was "getting quickly polarized and political."