Students on Capitol Hill tweeting for energy reform

Students from high schools and colleges across the country are on Capitol Hill this week to join hearings on energy and climate change reform, from which they’ll tweet their support for the legislation.

Students, mostly from D.C.-area colleges, are attending House Energy and Commerce Committee hearings on the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act this week, using new media tools like Twitter and text messaging to build support for the legislation.

The bill, which includes a cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions and would fund investments in alternative energy, was introduced by committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Edward Markey (D-Mass.).

The initiative is being pushed by Energy Action, a coalition of over 50 organizations such as the Sierra Student Coalition that work with young people demanding a clean energy economy.