Activists gathered outside the Leo O'Brien Federal Building, holding an impromptu "beach party" to welcome the Senators home for the August recess and to urge support for strong climate change legislation.

The 1sky campaign is a collaborative effort involving hundreds of diverse organizations, small local businesses and thousands of individuals from every corner of the state who have united to fight for fair and effective climate and energy policy. The activists delivered letters urging the Senators to support a cap on the nation's greenhouse gas emissions and to ensure consumer protection from rate hikes and government oversight.

Both Senators Schumer and Gillibrand are travelling today: Schumer's press office issued a brief statement --- saying quote -- "When the Senate considers climate change legislation later this year, Senator Schumer will fight to ensure that the bill that is passed takes into account any concerns that consumers and businesses may have." Gillibrand's press office quoted the Senator in an email --- where she states a majority of Congress is committed to creating clean energy jobs and addressing global climate change."

In New York, Governor David Paterson is committed to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative program. Last week, the Governor signed an executive order that calls for New York to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050, and the RGGI program is a critical part of achieving that goal.