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:

Gov. Whitmer Reconsiders Line 5 Approval

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the director of Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) have announced that the state agency will undertake a new review of the permits that Enbridge secured in July to construct its proposed Line 5 tunnel project below the Straits of Mackinac. Gov. Whitmer also called on Enbridge to begin working on a planned, orderly transition to an alternative to both the existing dual pipelines and the tunnel.

In July, EGLE issued a resource permit for the proposed Mackinac Straits Tunnel allowing Enbridge to begin building a new tunnel for its controversial fuel pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac after years of state and federal permitting. Two weeks later, the Michigan Supreme Court concluded that the Michigan Public Service Commission did not adequately evaluate environmental impacts, alternatives to the new tunnel, or effects on public resources, vacating the permit issued by the Commission.

As highlighted in Michigan EIBC’s 2026 Policy Roadmap for Efficient and All-electric Homes, reducing reliance on gas pipelines is essential for protecting consumers from rising fuel prices. Maintaining and expanding gas infrastructure also creates upward pressure on utility rates. As outlined in our roadmap, employing energy options such as electric heating and geothermal energy networks could be more cost-effective for Michigan ratepayers in the long term. You can read our whole plan here.

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Energy Storage Coalition Releases New Report

A new report from the U.S. Energy Storage Coalition examines the potential role of grid-scale energy storage in meeting rising electricity demand while helping control costs. The report envisions deployment of 1 terawatt-hour (1,000 GWh) of energy storage nationwide by 2032 and notes that storage can improve grid flexibility.

According to the report, broad deployment of energy storage could reduce overall power system costs by more than $250 billion over the next decade compared to scenarios where storage growth is constrained. The report also highlights storage’s ability to support growing electricity demand while improving reliability during peak demand periods. Finally, the report notes that in the Midwest, long-duration batteries can help serve rapidly growing demand while transmission and generation infrastructure catches up to increasing demand.

Read the full report here.

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Registration is closed

Walk-in registration will be available at the event on October 7 at the Gem Theater in Detroit, MI.

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Keynote Speaker Darrin Camilleri

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Michigan Energy News

• Michigan drivers consider EVs as gas prices climb. (WWMT)
• The cost of the Campbell: How a West Michigan coal plant became the epicenter for a U.S. energy war. (Ottawa News Network)
• Candidates are launching attacks over utility contributions to campaigns. (Detroit Free Press)
• As energy prices rise, Ann Arbor bets on itself to generate power. (Detroit News)

National Energy News

• Key state elections could reshape energy policy. (Inside Climate News)
• Advocacy groups file suit against the EPA to keep it from repealing power plant climate rules. (Ars Technica)
• U.S. Farm Bill advances along party lines. (Wisconsin Examiner)
• Cabot will use $50-million DOE grant to expand production of conductive additives in Louisiana and Texas. (ChargeDevs)
• The Iran war is driving clean energy development. It’s not enough to help the planet, yet. (AP News)
• When batteries get a facelift, so does renewable energy. (NPR)
• Major gaps remain to tripling global renewable energy capacity. (Semafor)
• A federal judge has restored a $7B Solar for All program. (UtilityDive)

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Events

• September and 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.
• September 27-29: Resilience and Equity in the Clean Energy Sector Summit— Founded in Detroit, RECESS intentionally invites Black, Indigenous, Brown, and other historically underrepresented communities into meaningful participation, understanding, and awareness of the clean energy ecosystem. By bringing together community members, students, entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders, RECESS helps ensure the clean energy transition is inclusive and delivers benefits to the people most impacted by climate change, economic exclusion, and energy injustice. Register here. 
• October 7: 14th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala — Join Michigan EIBC at the Gem Theatre in Detroit for its signature annual celebration of Michigan’s advanced energy industry. The gala brings together more than 300 business leaders, policymakers, and energy professionals to recognize outstanding achievements in clean energy through awards honoring Business of the Year, Public Official of the Year, Project of the Year, and other industry leaders. Register here.
• October 12-15: The Battery Show of North America — Join informa for three full days of conference programming featuring over 140 hours of expert-led sessions and more than 250 speakers spanning advanced battery design, manufacturing, safety, recycling, market strategy, and more — plus exclusive keynotes from leading OEMs and industry innovators. 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.

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.

• 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

• *NEW* 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. 
• *NEW* 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)
  • Agricultural Business Energy Incentive Program
  • Community Energy Management Program
  • Small Manufacturers Retooling
  • Water Energy Nexus Program 
  • Clean Fuel and Charging Infrastructure Program
  • MI Solar Access Program
  • Fuel Transformation Program

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.