WHEELING - He stood behind President Barack Obama when Obama was sworn into office in January, but U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller may not stand as close when it comes to "cap and trade."

As the massive climate control legislation makes its way into the U.S. Senate, Rockefeller, D-W.Va., is questioning whether "cap and trade" - pushed by the Obama administration - is in the best interests of West Virginia.

"Sen. Rockefeller followed the process in the House on the climate change legislation very closely, and he continues to have serious concerns about the House bill," said Jessica Tice, spokeswoman for Rockefeller. "The Senate process is in the beginning stages, and Senator Rockefeller will continue working with his colleagues to make sure West Virginia's interests are represented."

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is to begin marking up the cap and trade bill later this month, with floor debate scheduled for September or October.

Rockefeller said Wednesday he has been receiving much input from constituents.

"I'm glad to hear from so many West Virginians about this really important issue," he said. "I will absolutely fight for the future of coal and jobs in our state. I will not support an energy bill that threatens West Virginia's future.

"Technology can make coal even cleaner, but our nation cannot survive without energy from coal," he added. "People in the rest of the country need to know how dependent on West Virginia coal they are."

Cap and trade legislation - also known as House Resolution 2454 - aims to reduce carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants over the next 40 years. It establishes a program that allows pollution permits to be bought and sold.

The measure narrowly passed the U.S. House on June 26 by a vote of 219-212.

Earlier this month, U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., said he opposed cap and trade legislation as it currently stands.

In Ohio, Republican U.S. Sen. George Voinovich also is against the bill, according to his office. A full statement on his position was not made available.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, meanwhile, is reviewing the climate change legislation.

"He's working on the Senate bill so that it protects Ohio consumers, invests in manufacturing and ensures the competitiveness of U.S. industries," said Meghan Dubyak, spokeswoman for Brown.

"He authored legislation - which was included in the House-passed bill - to create a revolving loan fund to help small and mid-sized manufacturers retool for the clean energy industry. His first priority when it comes to clean energy is jobs."

Brown's IMPACT Act creates a $30 million revolving loan fund. This fund is intended to help small businesses transition to the clean energy economy by providing credit for needed upgrades and improvements. The measure was included in the House bill by U.S. Reps. Zack Space and John Boccieri, both D-Ohio.

Both Space and Boccieri were among those voting to pass cap and trade in the House, while U.S. Reps. Alan Mollohan and Nick Rahall, both D-W.Va.; Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.; and Charles Wilson, D-Ohio, all voted against the legislation.

"It wasn't ready for prime-time, as far as the interests of my constituents are concerned," Mollohan said. "I will say it came a long way from the time it was introduced by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) on the House floor."

Mollohan noted that he had concerns about the percentage of carbon emission reductions intended by the bill.

The legislation, as passed, would cap carbon emissions at 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. Mollohan believes a more realistic figure to be 12 percent to 14 percent.

"I think it would be better for coal, utility, the mine industry and mine workers to continue their input as the legislation is presented on the Senate side," he continued. "Then we can see if can have improvements.

"If it is possible for them to look at the improvements and say that the bill is at that point acceptable, we will reconsider our position on the legislation," Mollohan said. "Assurances have to come from the industry that this legislation will not destroy West Virginia's economy."