Congress has returned from summer vacation with much of the news coverage focusing on health care reform, but does anyone remember the clean energy and climate bill?

Shortly before the summer recess the Waxman-Markey bill, the largest and most progressive energy bill, passed the House of Representatives. The Senate has not passed, or even completed drafting its own version.

Politico reported that Senators are fighting about which committee will draft the legislation. Chairwoman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, Sen. Barbara Boxer of California believes her committee should have control over the legislation, while Sen. Max Baucus of Montana and Finance Committee Chairman believes his committee should draft the legislation. A quick turnaround of a Senate climate bill after the month-long recess is looking less and less likely.

Meanwhile the environmental advocacy group, Repower America has sent out action-response letters telling their members to send this letter to their Senators urging the them to support a comprehensive clean energy and climate bill within the year. Compromise and cooperation must ensue for the clean energy and climate bill to pass both chambers.

During President Barack Obama’s White House Press conference yesterday the focus was mostly on Iran and health care reform, but he also commented on the House climate energy bill.

The bill written by Democratic Representatives Henry Waxman of California and Edward Markey of Massachusetts is scheduled for a House floor debate and vote on Friday.

President Obama fully endorsed the bill called it “extraordinarily important.” He urged members of the House to pass the bill and said it would make the U.S. a global leader in clean energy technology.

The bill includes a cap-and-trade system for green house gas pollutants and funds new clean energy projects such as geothermal, solar and wind.

It is unclear if the vote is likely to pass since there is nearly no Republican support and some wavering from moderate Democrats from farm states.

For more a simple break down of what’s in the bill go to Grist and for the latest information about what is happening on Capitol Hill check out Politico.

Former Vice President Al Gore addressed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last Wednesday, telling them that America needs a climate bill this year, especially since there’s supposed to be an international negotiation in Copenhagen in December. Gore already has a bold plan — to reach a goal of 100 percent clean electricity within 10 years. And with President Barack Obama in office, this may be the year to go through with it.

On Gore’s Repower America website, you can find the detailed plan on how he believes America could reach this goal through use of plug-in cars, clean electricity and, of course, renewable energies. The first thing on the list — just like in Obama’s inauguration speech — asks for a little help from everyone. So, start by looking at the site, and then think about following the advice on the site by writing to your elected officials and telling them that you want the economic recovery package to focus on new jobs and clean energy. Like both Gore and Obama have said and continue to say, it’s going to take everyone to make the change that you want in our economy and environment. So, start now!