Newsletter: Michigan EIBC Weekly: More from the Energy Innovators Gala

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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:

14th Annual Energy Innovators Gala Photos, Award Winners and More

Thanks again to the more than 250 industry leaders, agency and nonprofit executives, policymakers, and everyone who joined us at the 14th Annual Energy Innovators Gala! The evening was a great opportunity to reflect on our progress, celebrate our accomplishments, and gather together to set the stage for the future. You can find all of the photos from the event here.

The evening began with a heartfelt tribute and posthumous dedication of the Stanley ‘Skip’ Pruss Public Official of the Year award. The recipient and keynote speaker, Senator Darrin Camilleri, has worked with Michigan EIBC to support virtual power plant legislation and introduce a microgrid-enabling bill in the State Senate that would unlock the power of distributed clean energy to support homes, buildings, and neighborhoods during times of grid outages.

Michigan EIBC once again celebrated the clean energy industry with additional awards. Michigan EIBC member companies Ranger Power and SEEL, LLC were awarded Business of the Year awards. Ranger Power fosters close collaborations with local communities to develop renewable energy projects in a cooperative and inclusive manner. Through Project N.O.A.H., SEEL works to create accessible pathways for young mothers to pursue training, earn industry-recognized credentials, and prepare for careers in energy efficiency and the skilled trades.

Michigan EIBC also awarded Michigan EIBC member company Walker-Miller Energy Services with our Project of the Year Award for its work on the Van Dyke/Lynch Solar Neighborhood Project, a 42-acre community solar project part of Detroit’s Solar Neighborhoods initiative.

Finally, Michigan EIBC inducted Carla Walker-Miller, founder and CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services and long-time Michigan EIBC Board member, into its Hall of Fame. Under Walker-Miller’s leadership, the Detroit-based clean energy company has become one of the largest African American- and woman-owned energy services firms in the country. For two decades, Walker-Miller has helped shape Michigan’s advanced energy economy while expanding energy efficiency and clean-energy access to underserved communities.

Save the date for next year’s Gala on September 29, 2027 at The Gem Theater and the 15th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference on April 15, 2027 at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing!

Click here for more photos of this year’s event.

Sen. Singh Introduces Competitive Fuels Act

Recently, Michigan State Senator Sam Singh joined business and industry organizations to introduce the Michigan Competitive Fuels Act (Senate Bill 1190). This legislation is designed to drive job creation, attract new investment, and expand access to domestic and affordable fuels across Michigan. The bill calls for Michigan to establish standards on reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and to establish a market for trading carbon intensity credits. Credits could be earned by producing cleaner fuels, using cleaner electricity for transportation, using renewable fuels to replace traditional sources, or by decarbonizing fossil fuels.

Read more from the Clean Fuels Coalition.

Michigan Clean Energy Leaders Sponsorship Opportunity

Michigan Clean Energy Leaders (MCEL) is seeking sponsors to support its 2027-2028 program. The program convenes leaders to build relationships, share knowledge and skills, and nurture collaboration to accelerate Michigan’s clean energy transition. Its core offering is a fellowship program which gathers 15 early and mid-career professionals for two in-person weekend retreats in nature, monthly virtual calls, and regional meetups.

Sponsor benefits include:

early access to the competitive application for the fellowship program
opportunity to speak to next cohort of emerging leaders in clean energy
access to invitation-only virtual MCEL kickoff event
ability to forward jobs and opportunities directly to network of VIP’s
and more!

Sponsorship opportunities begin at $1,000 (only $500/year over the two-year program duration.) See here for a full chart of sponsor tiers and benefits. Reach out to mcel@mieibc.org with questions or interest in sponsoring!

MCEL is supported by the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC) and the Institute for Energy Innovation (IEI). E2 is a program partner. Organizations or companies are eligible to join the MCEL sponsorship program. Sponsorships are considered charitable contributions to the Institute to Energy Innovation, tax-deductible over the fair-market value of benefits received. Sponsors must express interest by December 15, 2026 to join as a 2027-2028 program sponsor.

Michigan Energy News

Grants help communities stretch budgets by approving renewable energy projects. (Michigan State University)
Michigan State University Extension talks with Mary Reilly about renewable energy. (Michigan State University)
Natural resources, a changing climate and rising energy costs are on the mind of Michigan voters. (mlive)
Many Ann Arbor residents want a public utility to replace DTE. (Detroit Public Radio)
Grand Haven BLP adds another 4.32 megawatts of renewable energy to its portfolio. (WGHN)
Aging coal plants turn into a midterm fight over energy costs. (Michigan Advance)
A crude oil pipeline spill last month in the Detroit suburbs has prompted federal authorities to open an investigation. (Inside Climate News)

National Energy News

Environmentalists have sued the Trump administration over changes to the Rural Energy for America Program. (Wisconsin Public Radio)
A new group aims to help U.S. small towns lead the clean energy transition. (Canary Media)
A new M.I.T. study sheds light on renewable energy costs. (M.I.T.)
EV sales in the U.S. continue to rise. (Cox Automotive)
Stellantis is looking to build small electric vehicles with Leapmotor. (Reuters)
States are betting on virtual power plants to cut grid costs. (Yahoo)

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.

Walker-Miller Energy Services – Director of Engineering
Michigan Saves – Environmental Program Manager
Evergreen Action – Midwest Regional Advocate
Great Plains Institute (GPI) – Director Of Utility and Regulatory Innovation
Advanced Energy United – Policy Principal, Decision-Maker Education & Engagement
Advanced Energy United – Managing Director, Central

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.
EGLE is accepting applications for its 2026 Clean Energy Workforce Development Program, which will award grants of $5,000 to $50,000 to support workforce training, apprenticeships, and career pathways that advance Michigan’s clean energy economy. Eligible nonprofits and small businesses can apply through August 30, 2026 here.
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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