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January 15, 2026

Newsletter: Auto Show, work projects lawsuit, and more

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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 EIBC at the Detroit Auto Show

    Michigan EIBC Policy Principal Sophia Schuster moderated a panel at the Detroit Auto Show among auto and energy industry leaders. The panel focused on how stakeholders can best communicate information about electric vehicles and rebate programs to customers. Unlike the straight line from manufacturer to dealer to gas stations for internal combustion engine vehicles, EVs demand a web of relationships among automakers, dealers, charger installers, and utility companies. To unlock greater adoption, panelists spoke of the need for clear communication to customers on battery life, access to chargers, availability of rebates, and more.

    Thank you to all who joined!

    House GOP Sues to Block $645 Million in Work Projects

    In November, the Republican-controlled House Appropriations Committee unilaterally revoked $645 million in funding for ongoing work projects across the state, including grants and offices that administer programs that support advanced energy. House Republicans sued last week after Attorney General Dana Nessel issued an opinion that the committee’s action was unconstitutional. The opinion, which is binding on state agencies and officials, allowed funding to be restored back to departments. 

    House Republicans are now asking a judge to block funding again and determine the constitutionality of the law they used in November to revoke funding. A hearing is scheduled for Friday.

    Read more

    Michigan Energy News

    • Attorney General Dana Nessel and advocacy groups filed a petition for a rehearing on DTE’s contract with a data center in Saline Township. (MI Advance)
    • A ballot proposal campaign to ban political donations from utilities is on track to obtain enough signatures by April. (Gongwer)
    • GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Leonard proposes an overhaul of the Michigan Public Service Commission and repeal of renewable energy goals in his utility reform plan. (Michigan Public)
    • A Hillsdale County dairy farmer faced local opposition as he leased his land to Ranger Power, a Michigan EIBC member, for a solar project. (MLive)
    • A new University of Michigan study finds there is a gap between perception and reality of how EVs fit the lifestyles of rural Michiganders. (UMich)

    National Energy News

    • President Trump pulls the U.S. out of the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the legal foundation for global climate accords. (NYT)
    • A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration’s block of clean energy grants for Democratic states was illegal. (AP)
    • Mary Barra, CEO of Michigan EIBC member GM, said she believes customers will naturally choose EVs once there is a robust charging infrastructure. (CBS)
    • Microsoft’s president pledges to cover electricity costs of data centers. (CNN)
    • A federal judge says an offshore wind project, Revolution Wind, can move forward after the Trump administration froze five wind projects in December. (NPR)

    Events

    • Feb. 10: On Site: Detroit — Hosted at NewLab Detroit and designed for manufacturers, come learn about the latest news, regulations, and trends in energy, EHS, and sustainability, and network with other industry experts and professionals. Hear from Foresight’s team of industry experts as well as Corinne Graper with Uplift Agency, Kevin Budelmann with Peopledesign, and Matt Eugster with Varnum Law for an afternoon full of insights, networking, and your questions answered. Register
    • Feb. 13: University of Michigan Green Career Fair — If you are hiring full-time positions or internships in 2026, this is a great way to meet and identify early talent pipelines among some of the best and brightest in Michigan! For questions, contact Sydni Miller (sydnim@umich.edu) in the UM-SEAS Career Services office. Register
    • *NEW* April 21: 2026 MI Healthy Climate Conference —This year’s conference is focused on “Advancing Climate Action Together. Register by April 13

    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

    Resources