BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhuanet) -- The U.S. Congress is considering passing a global warming bill this coming week in an effort to impose strict rules to cut down on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses from power plants, cars, and other sources.   

    Lawmakers this coming week began hearings on an energy and global warming bill that could revolutionize how the country produces and uses energy. It also could reduce, for the first time, the pollution responsible for heating up the planet.

    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Friday carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases are a major hazard to Americans' health. "In both magnitude and probability, climate change is an enormous problem (and) the greenhouse gases that are responsible for it endanger public health and welfare,"

    The EPA declared greenhouse gasses a threat to public health while concluding the dangers warrant action under federal air pollution laws.

    The bill, if passed, would be the first major environmental protection law in almost two decades. In addition to attempting to solve a complex environmental problem associated with global warming, the bill also seeks to wean the nation off foreign oil imports and to create a new clean-energy economy.

    (Agencies)