Newsletter: Utility performance incentives and more

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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:

Michigan EIBC Calls for Stronger Utility Performance Incentives

Recently, Michigan EIBC and Advanced Energy United filed comments before the Michigan Public Service Commission in a case investigating incentive and penalty structures for utilities. The organizations make the case for more accountability in several areas. These include incentivizing faster interconnection processing times and increasing the frequency of mail updates to utility hosting capacity maps. On the subject of virtual power plants, we recommend that utilities should be incentivized for the value that these resources can provide and for incorporating a wide variety of distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar and home battery storage. Our comments also support establishing a clear path toward financial incentives and penalties tied to outage restoration in order to reduce the amount of time customers are without power.

Read our full comments in the docket.

Upcoming Education for Legislators and Staff

Several times a year, the Institute for Energy Innovation hosts its Energy 101 educational events to connect Michigan EIBC members with legislators and legislative staffers. These events give policy makers and Michigan EIBC members an opportunity to network and dig deeper into the energy policy issues shaping Michigan’s advanced energy economy.

Save the date for our next Energy 101: Breakfast Edition on December 2 in Lansing. If your company or organization is not already a member, contact us for more information on membership (mieibc@mieibc.org).

RENEWING MEMBERS

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Hemlock Semiconductor Operations (HSC) is a leading provider of ultra-pure polycrystalline silicon and other silicon-based products used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices, solar cells and modules. At HSC, we’re passionate about silicon-based technology and its unique potential to connect and energize the world we share. HSC’s polysilicon enables customers to produce high-tech electronics and solar energy, and our efficient manufacturing process delivers products with an ultra-low-carbon footprint. HSC began operations in 1961.

Michigan Energy News

Consumers Gas rate increase has been approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission. (WILX)
Utilities are using a loophole in Michigan’s energy plan to boost their profits. (mlive)
Michigan has launched a grant program to replace diesel refuse trucks with electric models. (WWMT)
What’s true and what’s not in Michigan’s data center debate. (Bridge Michigan)
Michigan’s Renewables Ready Communities Awards are providing extra funding for large-scale renewable energy projects. (Shoreline Media)
How Google’s Van Buren Township data center could impact water resources, air quality, utility bills, neighborhood noise levels, and more. (Planet Detroit)

National Energy News

Georgia electric cooperative is planning a 50-MW home battery deployment. (Utility Dive)
A new study shows how wind and solar boost rural economies without hurting agriculture. (WisFarmer)
AEP signs a 960-MW Indiana nuclear pact with Amazon and X-energy. (Utility Dive)
The U.S. Department of Energy will invest nearly $1 billion in power grid upgrades. (Reuters)
The U.S. Department of Energy has issued an emergency order amid above-average temperatures. (NY Times)
Higher energy prices lifted inflation ahead of the U.S.’s midterm elections. (NY Times)

Events

October (see website for specific dates and locations): Renewable Energy Fundamentals— This program will explore what is currently known, where uncertainty remains, and how different perspectives and community priorities shape decision-making. This 4-hour program provides research-based information on the topics communities frequently raise. Through presentations, discussion, and networking, participants will gain a better understanding of Michigan’s evolving energy landscape and leave with resources to support continued learning and community conversations. Register here.
October 24: 3rd Annual Climate & Health Event – The Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action (MiCCA) is hosting their 3rd Annual Climate & Health Event with a focus on Food As Medicine in East Lansing. Food as Medicine is a healthcare framework that integrates nutritious, high-quality food into clinical care, recognizing its role in preventing, managing, and treating disease. Our food systems have broad implications on our climate and dictate who is nourished and which communities are underserved. Register here.
October 27-29: V2G Business, Policy & Technology Forum – Now in its eighth iteration, the Fall V2G Business, Policy & Technology Forum in Detroit brings together top industry players, working groups, utility professionals and others who are focused on the successful development and implementation of vehicle-to-grid in the United States. Register here.
November 13: Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) Year End Year Begin Celebration – The GLREA team reviews the work and the challenges it addressed in 2026 and prepares GLREA’s Program Work and Goals for 2027. This Year End – Year Begin Celebration provides an opportunity to reflect upon the work being done in the world of renewable energy. Register here.

Jobs

If you have a job announcement you would like in the newsletter, please send the position and a link to apply to Mark Griffin at mark@mieibc.org. Please include in the email a specific end date for the job posting.

*NEW* Advanced Energy United – Policy Principal, Enabling Building Electrification & Affordability
Advanced Energy United – Policy Principal, Decision-Maker Education & Engagement
Walker-Miller Energy Services – Director of Engineering
Michigan Saves – Environmental Program Manager

Opportunities

The Elective Pay Energy Community Bonus Credit provides a 10% increase to clean energy investment or production tax credits for eligible projects located in designated energy communities. Elective pay lets tax-exempt and governmental entities (like local governments, schools, and nonprofits) receive clean energy tax credits as a cash refund from the IRS. Any tax-exempt organizations installing solar or battery can contact can click here for more information about free technical assistance to identify elective pay status and processes.
The Remediation and Redevelopment Division of EGLE is excited to announce the first round of Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Brownfield Renewable Energy Pilot. The Brownfield Renewable Energy Pilot will award $10 million in grants over its lifetime to local units of government to support the development of renewable energy and energy storage on sites of known environmental contamination. Proposal timeline is between November 2 and December 11, 2026. The RFP is on an expedited timeline to allow for ready applicants to take advantage of the remaining federal solar investment tax credit, which requires projects to be in service by the end of 2027. A second round of RFP will open in early/spring 2027.
The Michigan Green Building Collaborative (MiGBC) Leadership Awards. MiGBC celebrates the year’s accomplishments in the green building industry by awarding notable projects, individuals, and organizations. We recognize those who strive for innovation, sustainability, and community vibrancy. MiGBC’s mission is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated, in a way that improves the quality of life in Michigan. Deadline for submission is October 2. Read more.
The Renewables Ready Communities Award (RRCA) hosted by Michigan’s EGLE is a one-time payment that local governments can receive for hosting and/or permitting eligible large-scale renewable energy projects. Local governments can apply as soon as an eligible energy project is permitted, and award payment is made when construction on the project begins. An eligible project is a grid-connected wind, solar, or energy storage project in Michigan which received a local permit (e.g. a land use permit or site plan approval) after September 30th, 2023. Read more.
Sponsors and donations needed to 3x impact of the HARVEST Project — a collaboration with United Agrivoltaics Heartland Alliance, UMich SEAS, and MSU Extension. Masters students work on real-world land use and community challenges faced by solar and farmers. Sponsor a case study while gaining visibility and tailored insights!
Sustainable States Network RFQ for Build America, Buy America (BABA)-Compliant Charging Equipment (Rolling)
Michigan EGLE funding (Rolling)

Resources

The Michigan PSC has launched an affordability webpage that outlines actions the Commission has taken in recent years to control energy costs and expand energy assistance programs for those most in need.
The Small Business Association of Michigan published a compilation of available clean energy federal tax credits for businesses. See Clean Energy Tax Credits for Michigan Businesses
- EGLE RETAP and DOE’s Onsite TAP can assist with assessing the suitability of a various clean energy projects for Michigan businesses
- MSU’s ITAC program and EGLE RETAP can assist businesses with energy efficiency audits and recommendations
The National Governors Association and the National League of Cities EV Workforce Collaborative Resource Hub
Michigan Department of Natural Resources best practices for wind energy and wildlife in Michigan
The 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.
- See new deadlines for elective pay following the passage of OBBBA.
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.
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.

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