Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is setting his energy stall out early in the state’s two-year legislative session, saying he wants to look into weaning the state off coal-fired generation. Currently, Michigan sources about 50% of its power from coal-fired plants, but Snyder told the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum Thursday that “now is the time to look at a long-term transition away from coal.” In the long term, Snyder sees potential replacements for coal such as natural gas and wind “as viable options for Michigan, both of which have begun to build a presence in the state,” Dave Murray, the governor’s deputy press secretary, said Friday. And the former business executive and venture capitalist’s stance on potentially expanding the state’s 10% by 2015 renewable portfolio standard during this year’s session could hold influence in the Republican-dominated state Legislature — which began its session on […]