nesbit, aric rep
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<h1 class="node-title">Say, What? Michigan Legislators Insist that Burning Tires is 'Clean, Renewable Energy'</h1>
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<div class="story-date"><em><span class="field field-name-field-date field-type-date field-label-hidden"><span class="field-items"><span class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" content="2014-12-05T10:31:00-08:00">December 5, 2014</span></span></span></span></em> | </div>
<p>The Michigan state legislature is playing loose with its
environmental definitions, passing a bill on Thursday that qualifies the
burning of solid waste as "renewable energy." And according to the
Michigan news site, <a href="http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2014/12/burning_tires_house_passes_bil.html">MLive.com</a> <span class="print-footnote">[3]</span>, this includes the burning of tires. </p><p>The
state's House of Representatives passed the legislation 63-46. It would
qualify burning solid waste as a renewable energy fuel source. But
environmentalist and other activists are calling the legislation
"irresponsible."</p><p>The bill, sponsored by state house republican
Rep. Aric Nesbit is designed to "remove barriers to the use of solid
waste as a clean energy source."</p><p>The bill, <a href="http://legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28trb3cwjj0ja3y2vehmr4lknb%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2013-HB-5205">HB 5205</a> <span class="print-footnote">[4]</span> if
passed by Michigan's senate and signed by Gov. Rick Snyder, would
rewrite Michigan's laws regarding what defines clean and renewable
energy. It would add fuel manufactured from waste products, which could
include discarded car tires. This would allow the state's electrical
providers to meet the mandates under the state's Clean, Renewable, and
Efficient Energy Act to make 10% of their electricity from renewable
energy by next year. </p><p>One state representative seemed enthusiastic
about the bill. Rep. Ed McBroom, a Republican said that "there are
piles of tires out of the middle of nowhere... let's do something with
them."</p><p>The bill drew the support of Michigan-based Dow Chemical,
but environmental and children's advocacy groups oppose the new
legislation.</p><p>"The House should be focused on expanding true clean,
renewable energy, not allowing polluters to burn tires and call it
'renewable energy,'" Lisa Wozniak, Executive Director for the state's
League of Conservation Voters said in a statement. "House Bill 5205 is
nothing more than a dangerous plan to pollute our air, land and water.
It sets a dangerous precedent by changing the scientific definition of
renewable energy."</p><p>“Michiganders from both sides of the aisle want
more clean, renewable energy and we should be taking steps to reduce
pollution, not encourage more of it,” wrote Wibke Heymach, a
spokesperson for Moms Clean Air Force in a statement. “Encouraging the
burning of hazardous waste will create more pollution and more health
problems for Michigan kids, families and seniors.”</p><p>According to <a href="http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20141205/NEWS/141209898/michigan-house-approves-expanded-list-of-renewable-materials">Crain's Detroit Business</a> <span class="print-footnote">[5]</span>, Michigan's
asthma rate is 10% higher than the national average and that Detroit is
the 10th worst U.S. city for asthma related problems. </p>
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