On the face of it, you’d think that the definition of “renewable” in the term “renewable energy” would be pretty clear–energy that comes from the sun, wind, water, things that create energy from resources that just keep on coming. But as federal tax breaks for renewable energy get renewed, and dozens of states set quotas for renewable energy production, some industries are trying to get the definition of “renewable” expanded to cover more (specifically, what they create). The New York Times has the story.

In some states, the definition of “renewable” or “alternative” has already expanded. In Pennsylvania, waste coal and methane from coal mines receive the same treatment as solar panels and wind turbines. In Nevada, old tires can count as a renewable fuel, provided microwaves are used to break down their chemical structure. About half of the 28 states with renewable mandates include electricity generated by burning garbage (the District of Columbia also has a quota for renewable energy). In Florida, the nuclear power industry is lobbying to be included but has not yet succeeded.

One executive for Waste Management explains the industry’s rationale by saying, hey, a banana is a renewable product, so, “A banana that goes into garbage and gets burned [is] a renewable resource and producing renewable energy.” Environmental groups, of course, may see things differently. If you’re burning trash, you’re creating emissions, aren’t you? And you can’t reburn a banana, can you? But, thanks to lobbyists and government pork, waste-to-energy technology is receiving government funding in the updated climate change bill in Congress. Sweet.

I’m tending to think that these industries are trying to create an end-run around the intent of the quotas and federal stimulus, but perhaps there’s something I’m missing in all this. If anyone out there happens to burn garbage or coal waste (another industry trying to get in on this action–the coal waste burning industry) for a living and can explain how it’s renewable, I’m all ears.

photo credit: rpeschetz’s flickr photostream/Creative Commons