LANSING, MI (AP)-- Lawmakers are at odds over a bill that would change Michigan's definition of renewable energy to count electricity generated by burning tires, used oil and industrial waste.
The Republican-backed legislation is pending in the Senate after it was approved last week on a mostly party-line vote in the House.
Michigan law requires utilities to produce 10 percent of their electricity from renewable sources such as wind and sun by the end of 2015. Gov. Rick Snyder and legislators are expected to debate boosting the target next year.
But during their lame-duck session this month, some lawmakers are first pushing for incinerators to be able to call more of their portfolio renewable for purposes of the state's clean energy standard.
Critics said enacting the legislation would be a step backward.