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Senate approves energy bill amendment

WASHINGTON, June 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate has approved a milder amendment in the pending energy bill, calling for voluntary reductions in certain emissions.

The amendment, seeking to address growing concerns about global climate change, would also require more to be spent on technology to reduce pollution, The New York Times reported Wednesday.

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The measure, which passed by a 66-29 vote, was the least stringent of three competing amendments intended to address climate change, the Times said. A tougher amendment would have imposed mandatory reductions in fossil-fuel emissions that scientists link to global warming.

The toughest amendment was expected to be voted on Wednesday. It calls for steeper mandatory cuts in emissions, and faces stiff opposition.

Supporters of efforts to reduce pollution still claimed victory. Fred Krupp, head of the non-profit Environmental Defense, said the amendment that passed was inadequate, but signaled a "shift from debating whether we should do something to what we intend to do" about global warming, the Times reported.

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