(AP) — A bill intended to encourage Nebraska public power districts to consider more renewable energy is dead for the year.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Ken Haar of Malcolm, withdrew his proposal from consideration on Tuesday. Haar says he didn’t have the votes to advance the bill.

Current law states that public power districts should provide low-cost electricity. The measure would have required public power districts to consider economic development when building their energy portfolios.

Haar says the measure would get rid of an excuse that districts use not to consider wind and other forms of alternative energy. Opponents argued that the bill would impose a mandate on public power districts and increase costs for families and businesses.