HARTFORD — A coalition of environmental advocates, labor leaders and others is urging Connecticut policymakers to scrap plans to raid a special fund for energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives to help balance the state's budget.

John Harrity, a member of the Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs, warned Tuesday that diverting the $22 million will do little to fix the deficit problems but will cost jobs and harm programs that help reduce energy costs and cut fossil fuel use.

The tax package that cleared the Democratic controlled Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee last week used the money to help cover next fiscal year's projected deficit, now estimated at $933 million.

The special energy fund is financed by fees some power generators pay for emitting certain levels of greenhouse gases.