U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday called on members of the House to pass a climate bill aimed at capping and reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and lowering the country's dependence on foreign oil.

Obama told reporters at a midday news conference that the legislation would "finally spark a clean energy transformation."

"We all know why this is so important. The nation that leads in the creation of a clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the 21st century global economy," Obama said.

"That is what this legislation seeks to achieve -- it is a bill that will open the door to a better future for this nation. And that is why I urge members of the House to come together and pass it," Obama said.

The over 930-page bill, named the American Clean Energy and Security Act, calls for a 17 percent reduction in emissions of heat-trapping gases from the 2005 levels by 2020 and an 83 percent reduction by 2050.

It establishes a cap-and-trade program to control climate-altering emissions, dictates an increase in the use of renewable energy sources; and sets new efficiency standards for buildings, lighting and industrial facilities.

Obama also said the bill will bring energy savings to Americans, while developing technologies that could create millions of new jobs. 　

Source: Xinhua