A Senate committee has approved a bill allowing the state to create a task force to study the development of renewable energy sources.

The goal of SB169 is to encourage businesses to come to the state and build renewable energy plants, according to Dianne Nielson, energy adviser to Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. In addition, renewable energy sources would add variety to Utah's current coal-centric portfolio for energy, she said.

"This bill will give Utah an opportunity to identify those renewable energy zones where we have more than one resource available and keep it in a position where we can be attracting businesses to further develop renewable resources in our state," Nielson said.

SB169 is sponsored by Sen. Dennis Stowell, R-Parowan. The bill now goes to the full Senate for debate.