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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:
Campbell Coal Plant To Be Kept Open for Another 90 Days
The J.H. Campbell coal plant that was set to be retired earlier this year will be kept open for another 90 days until Nov. 19 following an extension of President Trump’s emergency order. The plant was scheduled to retire in late May, but a last minute emergency order from the Department of Energy kept it running for 90 days to maintain reliability that the administration said Michigan badly needed despite the grid operator’s assurance that it could handle summer demand. The Michigan Attorney General is challenging the initial emergency order in court, arguing that it is unjustified.
Consumers Energy, which owns the plant, reportedly spent $29 million to keep Campbell online in just the first month past its retirement date. Federal regulators have not yet decided how the cost will be allocated but granted a request from Consumers to spread that cost across several midwest states.
Michigan EIBC Policy Director Justin Carpenter told the Detroit News, “Experts and state regulators came to an informed conclusion that the J.H. Campbell coal plant no longer supports our state, our communities, or our needs. This administration’s overreach ignores the fact that states know their needs better than Washington ever could.”
Read Laura Sherman in Utility Dive
In a new Utility Dive op-ed, Michigan EIBC President Laura Sherman argues utilities need to take a holistic and proactive approach to next-generation advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). Regulators have a role in supporting that approach, and the Michigan Public Service Commission’s planned technical conference on AMI implementation is a good first step to building a strategy.
“The revolution of grid-connected devices is coming,” Sherman writes. “It’s critical to ensure that regulators and utilities undertake proper planning to maximize customer benefits.”
New Members
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Renewing Members
Join Michigan EIBC for our 13th Annual Energy Innovators Gala!
Michigan EIBC is excited to welcome our members, Michigan legislators and state officials, and the general public to our 13th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala on September 24th at the Gem Theatre in Detroit. Our gala is a wonderful opportunity to network with colleagues, policymakers, and industry experts, all while celebrating the individuals and businesses who succeeded in growing Michigan’s advanced energy sector.
THANK YOU TO OUR CURRENT SPONSORS!
Sponsorship opportunities are available, please reach out to Brianna <brianna@mieibc.org> to sponsor.
Michigan Energy News
- Michigan EIBC criticizes the decision to keep the Campbell coal plant online. (Bridge MI, Canary Media)
- Rep. Betsy Coffia (D) called for a hearing to review Gov. Whitmer’s latest appointment to the Michigan Public Service Commission, Shaquila Myers. (Detroit News)
- Cost of damages caused by a once-in-a-generation ice storm are being passed on to Northern Michigan customers. (MLive)
- An MSU study says 66,000 more EV chargers are needed in Michigan to meet demand as EV adoption increases. (Detroit News)
- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is challenging a new Department of Energy policy that caps federal funding for state-run energy programs. (WILX)
National Energy News
- The Treasury Department issues guidance for renewable energy projects, removing the 5% safe harbor provision from the “start construction” eligibility. (Heatmap)
- Heat pump sales are expected to grow despite the phaseout of federal incentives. (Utility Dive)
- Congressional Republicans hope to cancel the U.S. Postal Service’s EV funding. (Detroit News)
- The average price of renewable power purchase agreements has risen 4% since the passage of the OBBB. (Utility Dive)
- Half of new electric generation in 2025 will come from solar. (U.S. EIA)
Events
- Sept. 9: MPSC Public Hearing on Michigan’s Energy Future — The Michigan Public Service Commission is holding a public hearing on Sept. 9 in Grand Rapids to hear community comments that will inform long-term plans for electricity generation, affordability, and reliability, also known as IRP planning parameters. Learn more
- Sept. 24: 13th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala — For more event information and to purchase tickets, click here.
- Sept. 25: DISRUPT! 2025 — Join Clean Fuels Michigan’s signature networking night spotlighting the people and projects transforming Michigan transportation. Register here
- Oct. 13-15: 2025 Resilience and Equity in the Clean Energy Sector Summit (RECESS25) — If you believe in growing the clean energy industry by removing barriers to sustainable clean energy careers; creating equitable pathways to business ownership and expansion; retrofitting the built environment to address health and economic disparities; and collective action with like-minded decision-makers and innovators, please register to attend at www.therecessconference.com. The summit, hosted by Walker-Miller Energy Services, will be held at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center in Detroit.
- Oct. 14-16: 2025 Forth Roadmap 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.
Jobs
Send job postings to Kaei Li at kaei@mieibc.org to be featured on the newsletter. Please include a specific end date for the job posting.
- Walker-Miller Energy Services Measure Build Energy Engineer(Anywhere in MI)
Opportunities
- Michigan Department of Transportation Draft RFP for EV Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator program released for industry review (Final RFP is anticipated in the coming weeks)
- Michigan EGLE Challenge #2: Unlocking Elective Pay (Aug. 31)
- Michigan EGLE Elective Pay Ambassador Program (Aug. 31)
- Michigan EGLE Solar for Savings Program (Sept. 30)
- Michigan EGLE funding (Rolling)
- Coalition for Green Capital soliciting investment proposals (Rolling)
Resources
- 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.
- 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.