On Wednesday, twelve senators got together to draft a letter to Senate majority leader Harry Reid requesting the inclusion of climate and clean energy plans in upcoming legislation. However, on Thursday it was all over.

Senate Majority Leader Harry ReidIn the letter, the senators focus specifically on four principles; oil spill response and prevention, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, clean energy jobs, and the demanding of payment from polluters.

They explain, "A strong bill that includes these priorities will sufficiently drive the necessary investment in clean energy technology to create the well-paid jobs that will revitalize our economy and sustain it for generations to come. This will also give American businesses the certainty they need to make investment decisions that will allow them to compete in and win the global race for clean energy technology leadership."

This was written as a follow up to last week's letter in which another group of twelve senators constructed a similar letter to Senator Reid, calling for legislation to battle climate change and establish clean energy jobs.

But on Thursday, the blogs reported that there weren't enough votes to push for a climate and energy bill and the Senate would instead focus on an energy-only bill which would include popular energy savings measures and tough oil drilling rules but not a program to cap carbon emissions.

LCV President Gene Karpinski said in a statement, "It's deeply disappointing that Big Oil, Dirty Coal and their allies in Congress continue to stand in the way of creating a clean energy economy that creates jobs, makes America more energy independent and protects the planet. The twin challenges of building a clean energy economy and addressing global warming are too important to fail. The fight to create new clean energy jobs and solve the climate crisis will continue -- in this Congress, in the states and at the EPA."