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Energy rally draws crowd in Ybor

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By NEIL JOHNSON

njohnson@tampatrib.com

Published: August 28, 2009

TAMPA - A group that wants the U.S. Senate to pass less stringent rules on carbon emissions held one of its 19 nationwide rallies in Ybor City on Thursday to tout its message that legislation adopted by the U.S. House would drive up energy costs.

Energy Citizens rented out the Ritz Ybor on Seventh Avenue and drew about 150 people.

Meanwhile, across the street about 20 protesters gathered with signs supporting clean energy.

Their message was that renewable sources are better for the economy and environment.

Emmanuel Roux, owner of Garden Restaurant in St. Petersburg, said tourism is too vital to Florida to risk drilling for oil off the coast.

"The local economy would benefit more from solar jobs and renewable energy than drilling offshore," he said.

Across the street, the message was keeping down energy costs.

"We need to let Congress know there are hundreds of thousands of people in our industry who have a voice," said David Mica, executive director of the Florida Petroleum Council.

The environmental organization Greenpeace says these rallies across the country are financed by the oil industry.

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