U.S. Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act on Capitol Hill today.

The legislation, which aims to cut carbon pollution and stimulate the economy by creating millions of jobs in the clean energy sector, is the Senate's version of the American Clean Energy and Security Act passed by the House of Representatives in June.

The Boxer-Kerry "Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act," is 821 pages, starting with a mandate by 2020 to curb the nation's greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent from 2005 levels. Many of the details will be left to negotiations with Democrats and Republican moderates on the senate floor.

Prospects for the bill are still uncertain: At least 51 senators must vote in favor and to date only 45 senators have expressed support for the bill.

The official summary of the bill can be read below. Click here to download the full text of the bill (PDF). For more information, please see the following articles:

• John Kerry, "A new path for energy use
• Treehugger - Senate Climate Bill Revealed: A Quick Guide

Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act: Summary -

Photo by Chris Kleponis.