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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:
MPSC Avoids Clean Energy in Consumers Data Center Case, Reviews DTE Request
The Michigan Public Service Commission approved Consumers Energy’s large load tariff proposal meant to shield ratepayers from cost hikes, while punting on clean energy requirements. The order requires large customers like data centers to sign a 15-year contract that locks in payment and has a steep exit cost if a facility closes mid-contract. It also prohibits Consumers from passing along the cost of building new infrastructure connecting data centers to the power grid to residential ratepayers. Advocates pushed for requirements that data center power come from renewable sources, but the MPSC said clean energy standards could be addressed in a separate case.
Michigan EIBC, the Institute for Energy Innovation, and Advanced Energy United intervened in the case to argue that large load customers should have a suite of clean energy options for how their load is served, including behind-the-meter resources, demand-side programs, grid investments, and voluntary green pricing options. They also argued procurement of resources should follow the MPSC’s Competitive Procurement Guidelines to ensure fairness between utility-owned and third party-owned projects.
Relatedly, DTE filed an ex parte request to fast-track its proposed contract to supply power to a data center in Saline Township. Last week, Attorney General Dana Nessel challenged the request, arguing that the MPSC should not allow the process to be rushed. Instead, she argued the issue should be treated as a contested case where a public hearing with discovery and testimony will allow stakeholders to comment. Gov. Whitmer likewise said on Friday that the public should have the opportunity to “weigh in.” The MPSC has yet to make a decision on the ex parte request.
EGLE Grants Deliver EV Charging to Multifamily Housing
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy awarded $1.84 million for 201 EV charging stations across 31 multifamily properties in Michigan in its first two rounds of the Clean Fuel and Charging Infrastructure (CFCI) Program. Two additional rounds of funding for EV charging at multifamily homes are expected soon.
CFCI is a $30 million state-funded program, created in part thanks to advocacy from Michigan EIBC, that devotes at least 40% to disadvantaged communities. Funding is expected to close gaps in EV charging infrastructure in fleet and public transit systems, multifamily housing complexes, and outside of major alternative fuel corridors.
Michigan Energy News
- A new Climate Power report finds 6,000 clean energy jobs in Michigan have been canceled or delayed since President Trump entered his second term. (MI Independent)
- Vehicle battery manufacturer Freudenberg e-Power Systems is closing operations at Midland and Auburn Hills sites, laying off more than 300 Michiganders. (Detroit Free Press)
- The Michigan Public Service Commission approved Consumers Energy’s request to acquire a 200-megawatt solar project in Otsego County, along with power purchase agreements from two small solar facilities. (Gongwer)
- Ann Arbor Public Schools is adding 10 more electric school buses after receiving $4 million in Clean Bus Energy Grants. (MLive)
- A Kalamazoo County township is considering a moratorium on energy storage projects after a proposed project garnered public backlash. (MLive)
National Energy News
- Former Department of Energy officials issued a report on Inflation Reduction Act implementation with recommendations for future administrations on how to deploy clean energy commitments more quickly. (Utility Dive)
- Automakers and other companies are reducing investments in EVs and laying off workers in multiple states. (The Hill)
- Clean energy groups and the city of St. Paul, Minn., sued the Trump administration over cuts to energy projects in blue states, arguing the decisions show “intentional discrimination.” (NYT)
- The International Energy Agency’s 2025 World Energy Outlook shows how new U.S. policy, data center load growth, and cheap natural gas have altered global fossil fuel usage and emissions forecasts. (Heatmap)
Events
OPEN TO EVERYONE
- Jan. 15: Detroit Auto Show Media and Industry Days Panel — Michigan EIBC Policy Principal Sophia Schuster is moderating a panel on improving multi-stakeholder communication to enable EV adoption. Join us! Get tickets here.
FOR MICHIGAN EIBC MEMBERS ONLY
- Jan. 14-15: Detroit Auto Show Media and Industry Days — Michigan EIBC members will be able to take advantage of several members-only benefits, including the opportunity to register for a display on the show floor during the show’s Media & Industry Days (January 14-15) at a discount of more than 50%. Email sophia@mieibc.org to learn more.
Jobs
If you have a job announcement you would like in the newsletter, please send the position and a link to apply to Kaei Li at kaei@mieibc.org. Please include in the email a specific end date for the job posting.
Opportunities
- U.S. Department of Energy Request for Information on federal action to rapidly expand grid capacity and generation to meet demand growth (Closes Nov. 21)
- Michigan Department of Transportation Draft RFP for EV Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator program released for industry review
- 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.