LANSING - It's not a hot-button election issue like sending jobs to China or failed economic policies. But renewable energy has entered into this November's contests, and it's about to become a much bigger debate. Gathering steam are measures both in the Legislature and the Michigan Public Service Commission that could require utilities to have part of their future power generation come from renewable sources. Such a renewable portfolio standard, enacted in 21 states, has the backing of Gov. Jennifer Granholm and many current and prospective state lawmakers.

Wayne County intends to break ground next spring on a biotechnology park that Executive Robert Ficano hopes will become the state's production hub for alternative fuels.

As one of the three boards regulating the 21st Century Jobs Fund is screening the 505 applications for funding, lawmakers on an oversight panel Thursday cautioned officials on the role universities will play.