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Welcome to the weekly newsletter of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC), the business voice for advanced energy in Michigan. Here’s what’s new this week:
More Photos From The 13th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference
Thank you again to all who attended our 13th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference in East Lansing on April 2. Read about the event here, and view more photos from the conference here.
Michigan EIBC Intervening In Large Load Tariff Case Before the MPSC
What is to be done about the proliferation of data centers and their accompanying massive electric load? How can regulators ensure that these types of electric customers do not pass higher costs onto other customers, and that they enhance the level of clean energy on the grid? An upcoming case before the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) in which Michigan EIBC and Advanced Energy United are intervening will seek to answer these questions.
In U-21859, Consumers Energy is asking the MPSC for approval of a new tariff for a rate category that covers “uniquely high-load energy customers such as data centers,” as the MPSC describes it. The proposed tariff has a number of requirements to protect Consumers Energy customers from being negatively impacted by a data center customer. These requirements include:
- An application fee up to $100,000
- 15-year minimum contract term
- Established contract capacity and a required monthly minimum bill of at least 80% of that contract capacity
- Requirement for an “exit fee” calculated as the remainder of monthly minimum bills under the contract
- Ability to require financial security
These requirements, however, do not tackle issues like how much of the new large load will be met with clean energy. These issues will be among those discussed in the contested case proceeding.
Michigan Energy News
- Crain’s Grand Rapids Business quotes Michigan EIBC President Laura Sherman in a story about LG Energy Solution Michigan Inc.’s shifting strategies for EV battery production.
- Michigan should reject several pending permit applications from Enbridge for the tunnel for the Line 5 oil pipeline, writes Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities Climate & Environment Program Director Ashley Rudzinski in the Detroit Free Press.
- DTE begins construction of the 100-MW Cold Creek Solar Park.
National Energy News
- The head of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas warns state lawmakers about the effects of interfering in the regulation of the grid.
- Rather than falling for the “strawman argument” about community solar cost-shifting, “policymakers and ratepayers are much better served by demanding full and true assessment of the total costs and benefits that resources like community solar bring to the grid and how they impact our collective long-term energy costs,” writes consultant Karl Rábago.
- Wisconsin advocates are concerned about ratepayers being stuck with the bill for a data center-driven expansion of gas-fired generation.
Job Board
Attention Michigan EIBC members: if you have a job announcement you would like in the newsletter, please send a paragraph describing the position and a link to apply to Matt Bandyk at matt@mieibc.org. Please include in the email a specific end date for the job posting.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
State Assistant Administrator 15 – Climate and Environment Policy Advisor. Location: Lansing.
This position works for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and is detailed within the Governor’s policy division as a Climate and Environment Policy Advisor. The incumbent manages issues in these areas, especially how they intersect with energy, natural resources, and agriculture. This position would serve as a policy advisor and project manager on existing and new initiatives in this issue space.
Michigan and National Energy Events
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s (EGLE) MI Healthy Climate Conference is taking place April 22-23 at the Huntington Place in Detroit. Find out more here.
On May 29 from 4 to 6 pm, Michigan EIBC will be holding a legislative reception at the Seabiscuit Cafe on Mackinac Island. Please join us if you are on the island for the Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference. Registration is not required.
Michigan EIBC is proud to support the 2025 Forth Roadmap Conference as a Community Partner! Join us Oct. 14-16, 2025 in Detroit at the nation’s leading electric transportation conference. Connect with industry leaders, explore emerging trends, and shape the future of mobility. Roadmap 2025 is where policymakers, utilities, automakers, and industry innovators come together to advance clean transportation solutions. Use MEIBC75 for $75 off full conference tickets. Find out more and register at roadmapforth.org. We hope to see you there!
Opportunities
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has announced the first in a series of Requests for Proposals, offering $5 million in initial funding to support the deployment of non-public Level 2 alternating current electric vehicle charging stations at existing multifamily housing units. Individual grant awards are capped at $300,000, with applicants required to provide a minimum 30% match of the total requested funds if the project is outside an environmental justice community. Find the RFP here. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are allocated.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) has announced several new programs with funding available for energy-related projects, including the Agriculture and Rural Business Energy Incentive Program, the Small Manufacturers Retooling Program, the Grid Resiliency Program, the Water Energy Nexus Program and the Sponsorship Program.
The Electrification Coalition is calling on American businesses, trade associations, and workforce development organizations to urge the federal government to support the domestic EV manufacturing industry by maintaining clean vehicle tax policies and grants to continue to incentivize private investment. Read the letter here and fill out the form to add your organization as a signatory.
The Coalition for Green Capital (CGC) has an open, rolling solicitation seeking proposals for investment from project developers, sponsors, communities, private equity firms, financial intermediaries, co-lenders or others. Find out more information here.
The State of Michigan’s Michigan Infrastructure Office Technical Assistance Center has launched a website with information about how tax-exempt entities can take advantage of federal clean energy tax credits using elective pay.
Michigan Clean Energy Leaders (MCEL) has opened applications for its next cohort! A fellowship program and network, MCEL convenes leaders to build relationships, share knowledge and skills, and nurture collaboration to accelerate Michigan’s clean energy transition. MCEL is seeking nominees — diverse in identity, background, geography and industry — who are in the first 10-15 years of a career in clean energy. Please visit micleanenergyleaders.com today to learn more! Apply by April 28.
Michigan EGLE has released an RFP for grants from its Clean Energy Workforce Development Program. The application deadline is July 30.
Michigan State University’s Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics (AFRE) is seeking a full-time Associate Professor (FT) to serve as the Director of the Institute of Public Utilities (IPU). Find out more about this position here.
The Michigan Public Service Commission has created a website tracking its progress implementing Public Acts 229, 231, 233, 234, and 235, passed on Nov. 8, 2023 and signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Nov. 28.
Rheaply, NextCycle Michigan and Michigan EGLE have launched the Michigan Materials Marketplace, which allows businesses to buy and sell excess materials so they can be reused instead of discarded.
Michigan EGLE is launching the Renewables Ready Communities Award (RRCA), which makes Michigan municipalities that have, on or after October 1, 2023, begun physically hosting and/or performing local permitting for any portion of an eligible renewable energy project eligible for awards of $5,000 per MW. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are depleted and there is no specific deadline. More information on this opportunity can be found on the RRCA Webpage.