Groups pressure Sen. about climate bill

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - Climate change legislation is stalled in the U.S. Senate, and environmentalists want Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico to do something about it.

They are running a new television advertisement this week that said Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, should use his leadership position and take action.

Jake Horowitz of Environment New Mexico said Bingaman has been instrumental in helping New Mexico become a leader in clean energy jobs, and the senator is now "in the driver's seat" when it comes to the nation's energy future and limiting pollution blamed for climate change.

Prospects for passing a climate bill this year remain dim. Most Republicans and some Democrats see the legislation as effectively raising taxes and hurting the economy.