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June 8, 2026

Newsletter: CLEANPOWER, MPSC Summer Energy Appraisal, Consumers Energy files for rate increase, and more!

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  • Newsletter: CLEANPOWER, MPSC Summer Energy Appraisal, Consumers Energy files for rate increase, and more!
  • Newsletter: Michigan EIBC Legislative Reception, Agrivoltaics, A2SEU, and more
  • Newsletter: New EGLE opportunities, a new report highlights rising energy costs, and more!
  • Newsletter: New Op-Ed on EVs, new EGLE opportunities, and more!
  • Newsletter: Michigan EIBC Conference, Appellate decision on siting, 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 Attends CLEANPOWER in Houston, Texas

    Michigan EIBC attended CLEANPOWER 2026 in Houston, Texas, from June 1–4, joining industry leaders from across the country to discuss the future of clean energy development, grid modernization, and energy innovation. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth! 

    Justin Carpenter, Michigan EIBC’s Director of Policy, also spoke on a panel at the conference about siting utility-scale storage projects, how to improve communication with local governments, and how to foster better relationships with communities. Justin mainly spoke about success stories in Michigan, and how the siting environment has changed since the passage of PA 233.

    Michigan Summer Energy Outlooks Highlights Rising Costs, Growing Demand

    The Michigan Public Service Commission’s 2026 Summer Energy Appraisal highlights ongoing affordability concerns as energy markets continue to respond to global uncertainty and changing consumer trends. According to the report, Michigan’s average gasoline price reached $4.88 per gallon in mid-May, up from $3.23 a year earlier, with continued tensions in the Middle East expected to contribute to price volatility throughout the summer. While residential electricity rates in Michigan remain higher than the national average, the appraisal notes that average electric bills are still lower than both the national average and the average across Great Lakes states. 

    The report also points to changing transportation and electricity trends across the state. Vehicle miles traveled are expected to decline slightly in 2026 as higher fuel costs influence consumer behavior. Additionally, the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles continues to accelerate. Between 2019 and 2024, the number of EVs, plug-in hybrids, and hybrid vehicles registered in Michigan grew by 174%. On the electricity side, the report notes growing participation in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) capacity auction from solar resources, with solar accounting for more than half of the additional accredited capacity added since 2025, signaling the increasing role of renewable energy resources in meeting regional electricity demand.

    Read the Report Here

    Consumers Energy Seeks Largest Electric Rate Increase in More than Two Decades

    Consumers Energy has filed a request with the Michigan Public Service Commission seeking approval for a $456 million electric rate increase, plus an additional $25 million surcharge, representing the utility’s largest electric rate request in more than 20 years. If approved, the proposal would increase overall rates by approximately 9.8% and would take effect in May 2027. According to the utility, the request is driven primarily by investments in electric distribution infrastructure, grid modernization, reliability improvements, cleaner energy resources, and rising financing and operating costs. Consumers Energy says the investments are necessary to continue improving reliability and resilience across its electric system.

    The filing comes just weeks after rates approved in the company’s previous electric rate case took effect on May 1. Consumers Energy identified infrastructure investment and related costs as the largest driver of the request, accounting for approximately $234 million of the proposed revenue increase, followed by financing costs and sales and revenue adjustments. The proposal is expected to draw scrutiny from regulators, consumer advocates, and business groups including Michigan EIBC as Michigan continues to balance investments in grid reliability and clean energy with concerns over affordability and rising utility costs. 

    Read the Filing Here

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    Michigan Energy News

    • Higher summer peak electricity rates take effect for millions of Michigan utility customers. (MLive)
    • New analysis finds renewable energy projects continue to offer some of the lowest-cost options for adding electricity generation in Michigan. (Our Midland)
    • Op-ed argues affordable and reliable energy is essential to maintaining Michigan’s economic competitiveness and attracting investment. (Michigan News Source)  
    • DTE Energy plans to invest $1.6 billion in Michigan-made battery storage systems to strengthen grid reliability and support growing energy demand. (DBusiness) 

    National Energy News

    • Large-load growth could help modernize the grid, but raises cost-shift concerns. (Utility Dive) 
    • SOLV Energy highlights more than 4 GW of utility-scale solar and storage projects under development across the U.S. (SolarQuarter) 
    • FERC complaint challenges transmission planning rules in MISO, SPP, and Entergy regions. (Utility Dive) 
    • SEC proposes rescinding Biden-era climate disclosure requirements for public companies. (ESG Dive)

    Events

    • June 11: Powering Affordability in Michigan: A Customer Roundtable on Rising Electricity Costs – Join the Electricity Customer Alliance (ECA) in Lansing for a public roundtable discussion on the drivers behind rising electricity costs in Michigan. The event will bring together customer voices and energy stakeholders to explore practical customer-focused solutions that improve affordability, reliability, and transparency in the state’s energy system. Register here.
    • June 16: Institute for Energy Innovation Energy 101 — Come learn about how advanced energy and mobility technologies stem the tide of rising energy bills while improving energy resiliency and reliability. For Michigan EIBC members and legislators/staff only, please email mieibc@mieibc.org for more information.
    • June 24: Michigan EIBC Public Convening: Agrivoltaics — Join Michigan EIBC for a public convening to learn about the opportunities agrivoltaics can provide for both the energy grid and farmers. See Michigan State’s Kellogg Research Extension research firsthand, and listen to a panel discussion focused on financing for agrivoltaic projects, advantages and challenges for crops with solar co-location, and innovative ways solar can be integrated into agriculture. See event details here.
    • July 29: Multi-Modal eMobility Summit – Explore the future of electric transportation at the Gross Ile Municipal  Airport. This unique event will feature electric aircraft, EV charging demonstrations, industry roundtables, exhibitor showcases, and networking opportunities highlighting innovations in air, land, and marine mobility. 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 Charlotte Bunch at cbunch@5lakesenergy.com. Please include in the email a specific end date for the job posting.

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