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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 House Passes Budget with $200 Million Cut to EGLE
The Republican-controlled House passed a $78.5 billion spending plan Tuesday for FY 2026, which starts Oct. 1. The House budget cuts $200 million from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), including a 57.2% (or $149 million) reduction in general funds. It also adds $3.4 billion for road funding without increasing taxes and prohibits the state from buying or leasing EVs for the state fleet.
Michigan EIBC continues to advocate for EV charging infrastructure and support for local communities through programs administered by EGLE in the state budget process. EIBC also supports a road funding solution that does not disproportionately affect EV drivers. Negotiations between the House, Senate, and the Governor’s office are ongoing as the Sept. 30 deadline for a finalized budget approaches.
MI Attorney General Seeks 75% Reduction of DTE Rate Hike
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed testimony last week in response to DTE Energy’s application to increase electricity rates by 11%, totaling $574 million. Nessel recommended a 2.5% increase instead, saying that “nearly 75% of this proposed hike can’t be demonstrated to meaningfully improve service or do so cost effectively.”
Michigan EIBC, the Institute for Energy Innovation, and Advanced Energy United also intervened in the case, filing testimony on transportation electrification, battery energy storage, demand response, and distributed energy resource management system.
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
- A global investment firm is eyeing 50,000 acres of Michigan farmland to build solar energy and data centers. (Crain’s)
- Michigan EIBC told Crain’s that utilities know they need storage as Key Capture Energy plans seven battery energy storage projects across Michigan. (Crain’s)
- Michigan electricity providers have demonstrated they can meet demand in 2028-29 in a new report accepted by the Michigan Public Service Commission. (Gongwer)
- Signature gathering begins to add a petition banning dominant utilities from political spending to the 2026 ballot. (Bridge MI)
- Michigan EIBC told MLive that uncertainty over the economy and energy policy will lead to more cautious spending in the long run, even as Michiganders race to install solar before tax credits expire. (MLive)
National Energy News
- Nearly 60 utility companies are set to increase electricity rates by more than $38 billion this year. (CBS)
- The Department of Commerce is investigating the national security impacts of importing wind turbines and components, setting the stage for new tariffs. (Utility Dive)
- A new report says import tariffs will slow transmission development and increase costs of grid modernization. (Utility Dive)
- A new University of Michigan report shows EVs reduce a driver’s greenhouse gas emissions, regardless of where they live in the U.S. (UMich)
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
- *NEW* Sept. 12: Webinar on Scaling Community Resilience Hubs — 5 Lakes Energy is hosting a webinar to share guidance on scaling community resilience hubs to strengthen local responses to extreme weather. Register here
- 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.