A congressional committee today is expected to debate federal legislation that would assess pollution taxes on coal-fired power plants and other sources of greenhouse gases as part of a plan to reduce global warming.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act could make up for the lack of new rules in Florida, which Governor Charlie Crist had established as a top priority for combating climate change. The state legislature has blocked that effort. The Act would set rules for re-powering America with renewable energy, reducing dependence on foreign oil, creating clean energy jobs and reducing greenhouse gases to slow global warming.

Phyllis Cuttino, director of the Pew Environment Group’s U.S. Global Warming Campaign, says her group’s new survey found 77 percent of the voters nationwide believe legislation to reduce greenhouse gases is critical.

“The American voter believes very strongly that global warming is happening, it’s happening now, and they want members of Congress and this government to take action to reduce global warming emissions,” Cuttino said.

Opponents say the bill would tax polluters, hurting business and consumers. But, Cuttino says voters of all parties believe clean energy legislation would create new jobs and bolster the economy.

“Voters understand we need to make a transition from where we are today to a clean energy economy that’s going to grow jobs here at home that can’t be exported,” she said.

Energy jobs are not just for factory workers, adds Cuttino, but for everyone. Voters who were surveyed also want some of the tax money to go to research and energy tax credits for consumers. Scientists say Florida is one of the largest contributors in the world to greenhouse gases, and one of the places most at-risk for coastal erosion and sea level rise due to global warming.