WASHINGTON  - Legislation to address the water crisis in Flint, Michigan is likely as the Senate takes up a bipartisan bill on energy policy.

Preliminary votes on the energy bill are expected Thursday as the Senate debates the first comprehensive energy legislation in nine years.

The wide-ranging bill is co-sponsored by Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Democrat Maria Cantwell of Washington state. It would update building codes to increase efficiency, strengthen electric grid safety standards and promote an array of energy forms.

Murkowski, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, called the measure "a good bill ... designed to go the distance and designed to make a difference."

Even so, partisan fights are expected as lawmakers debate President Barack Obama's energy policies and efforts to slow climate change.