Recent Posts
Blog Categories
- Newsletter (457)
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:
Read Bollinger Motors CEO in the Detroit News
One of the key policies to promote fleet electrification has been the federal commercial clean vehicle tax credit. In an op-ed in the Detroit News this week, Bryan Chambers, CEO of Michigan EIBC member company Bollinger Motors, writes how “the credit has been crucial in leveling the playing field for U.S. companies like Bollinger, helping us go toe-to-toe against foreign competitors that have more production capacity, global reach and, often, significant government backing,”
But, as Chambers writes, “right now, Congress is considering changes that could weaken or eliminate these critical incentives. If that happens, it won’t just hurt companies like Bollinger — it will make it harder for American manufacturers to compete in a global electric vehicle market projected by Bloomberg NEF to reach $9 trillion in revenue by 2030.”
The op-ed calls upon Michigan’s congressional delegation to “stand up for the energy tax credits driving investment, creating good-paying jobs and strengthening our state’s economy.”
Michigan EIBC Holds Fleet Electrification Convening
Michigan EIBC hosted a public convening on May 7 at member company Bollinger Motors’ headquarters in Oak Park, where attendees heard discussions about the future of fleet electrification.
At the Convening, Tony Geara, deputy chief for the City of Detroit’s Office of Mobility Innovation gave a talk on the city’s efforts to ensure that Detroit is ready to lead the future of urban mobility and meet the diverse transportation needs of its residents and businesses. .
The event also featured a panel moderated by Michigan EIBC Policy Principal, Sophia Schuster, that highlighted the challenges that fleet operators face in electrifying their vehicles and the opportunities to overcome key obstacles. On the panel were state leaders and industry experts, who shared their perspectives on the fleet electrification in Michigan:
- Chuck Allen, Strategic Operations Chief, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
- Mary Braun, Sustainability Coordinator, Washtenaw County Facilities Management
- Colin Seals, Government Affairs Director, Bollinger Motors
- Alan Wisniewski, Chief Operating Officer, BizFleets
Read Justin Carpenter in the Traverse City Record-Eagle
In a new op-ed in the Traverse City Record-Eagle newspaper, Michigan EIBC Director of Policy Justin Carpenter explains the importance of the new siting law for large renewable energy and energy storage projects and why, for the sake of Michigan’s economic growth, it must not be repealed.
The Clean Energy and Jobs Act, passed by the legislature in 2023 but only going into effect at the end of last year, “streamlines the permitting process for renewable energy facilities, removes unnecessary red tape, and ensures that projects meet necessary environmental and community standards,” Carpenter writes.
“Weakening or repealing the Clean Energy and Jobs Act would harm Michigan’s economic security, jeopardize our communities, and undermine our farmers’ ability to thrive,” according to Carpenter. “The current law is a powerful tool for Michigan’s economic growth and energy independence, and we cannot afford to take a step backward.”
Carpenter recently testified in defense of the siting law along with three Michigan farmers before the Michigan House Energy Committee.
Renewing Members
Atwell, LLC is a national consulting, engineering, and construction services firm with offices throughout the country that deliver a broad range of strategic and creative solutions to clients in three core markets: real estate and land development, power and energy, and oil and gas. Atwell provides comprehensive turnkey services including land and right of way support, engineering, land surveying, environmental compliance and permitting, and project and program management.
At Bellwether Public Relations, we’re proud to support clients working to make Michigan a better place. For more than a decade, we’ve earned the trust and respect of hundreds of clients, managing award-winning public relations, digital marketing and advocacy campaigns with winning results. It’s why we’re considered one of the top public relations firms in the state.
Chart House Energy is a full service commercial / industrial renewable energy development firm with specialty in not-for-profit and governmental agency projects.
Lean & Green Michigan helps commercial, industrial, multifamily and nonprofit property owners finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that are profitable for all parties – property owners, contractors, financial institutions and local governments. As of July 2024, 59 local governments representing 75% of Michigan’s population are participating in our program, and we have facilitated financing of over $293 million in advanced energy projects throughout the state.
Michigan Solar Solutions was established in 2008. MSS has earned an excellent reputation for designing, selling, servicing and installing solar electric systems, energy storage systems and electric vehicle chargers for homes, businesses, commercial buildings and municipalities.
Michigan Energy News
- Consumers Energy is nearing completion for its project to expand the gas-fired Zeeland plant.
- Michigan joins other states in suing the Trump administration for its policy stopping federal review of wind projects.
- Planet Detroit reports on how utility return on equity drives ratepayers’ bills for DTE and Consumers Energy.
National Energy News
- Electrification of transportation and home heating is expected to contribute to an 11% rise in annual electricity consumption in ISO New England over the next decade.
- North Carolina lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow Duke Energy to charge ratepayers for plants under construction but not yet built.
- Inside Climate News talks to the heads of Vote Solar and Solar United Neighbors about the challenges to their work in the current political climate.
Job Board
Attention Michigan EIBC members: if you have a job announcement you would like in the newsletter, please send a paragraph describing the position and a link to apply to Matt Bandyk at matt@mieibc.org. Please include in the email a specific end date for the job posting.
Apex Clean Energy
Development Manager, MISO. Location: Remote.
At the direction of the Director of Development, the Development Manager will manage the activities required to develop utility-scale wind and/or solar energy projects. In this role, you must possess the experience and skills required to lead multi-million-dollar infrastructure projects, preferably related to renewable energy projects. The position’s work scope will encompass and support the entire life cycle of a project from early-stage development to construction, including siting, land management, interconnection and transmission, environmental permitting, engineering, and land use permitting.
Elevate
Senior Director, Policy. Location: Remote.
The Senior Director, Policy leads and develops policy initiatives and advocacy efforts at the federal level, provides leadership to and manages state policy engagements to Elevate’s mission. This position advises the Executive Team and Directors on strategy and risk management related to public policy, manages the policy team at Elevate, and manages the policy functions in coordination with other teams. The Senior Director, Policy also represents Elevate in key working groups, advisory groups, and forums with public and elected officials.
Michigan and National Energy Events
Register here for “Michigan Home Energy Rebates Contractor Webinar with Q&A” hosted by the Michigan Energy Efficiency Contractors Association and the Institute for Energy Innovation on May 21 at 1 pm. The webinar will include presentations from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and Walker-Miller Energy Services on the benefits of getting involved with MiHER, the steps to become certified, and an opportunity for audience questions.
On May 29 from 4 to 6 pm, Michigan EIBC will be holding a legislative reception at the Seabiscuit Cafe on Mackinac Island. Please join us if you are on the island for the Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference. Registration is not required.
Michigan EIBC is proud to support the 2025 Forth Roadmap Conference as a Community Partner! Join us Oct. 14-16, 2025 in Detroit at the nation’s leading electric transportation 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. We hope to see you there!
Opportunities
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has announced the first in a series of Requests for Proposals, offering $5 million in initial funding to support the deployment of non-public Level 2 alternating current electric vehicle charging stations at existing multifamily housing units. Individual grant awards are capped at $300,000, with applicants required to provide a minimum 30% match of the total requested funds if the project is outside an environmental justice community. Find the RFP here. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are allocated.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) has announced several new programs with funding available for energy-related projects, including the Agriculture and Rural Business Energy Incentive Program, the Small Manufacturers Retooling Program, the Grid Resiliency Program, the Water Energy Nexus Program and the Sponsorship Program.
The Electrification Coalition is calling on American businesses, trade associations, and workforce development organizations to urge the federal government to support the domestic EV manufacturing industry by maintaining clean vehicle tax policies and grants to continue to incentivize private investment. Read the letter here and fill out the form to add your organization as a signatory.
The Coalition for Green Capital (CGC) has an open, rolling solicitation seeking proposals for investment from project developers, sponsors, communities, private equity firms, financial intermediaries, co-lenders or others. Find out more information here.
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.
Michigan EGLE has released an RFP for grants from its Clean Energy Workforce Development Program. The application deadline is July 30.
Michigan State University’s Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics (AFRE) is seeking a full-time Associate Professor (FT) to serve as the Director of the Institute of Public Utilities (IPU). Find out more about this position here.
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.
Michigan EGLE is launching the Renewables Ready Communities Award (RRCA), which makes Michigan municipalities that have, on or after October 1, 2023, begun physically hosting and/or performing local permitting for any portion of an eligible renewable energy project eligible for awards of $5,000 per MW. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are depleted and there is no specific deadline. More information on this opportunity can be found on the RRCA Webpage.