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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:
Read Justin Carpenter in the Detroit News
In a new op-ed in the Detroit News, Michigan EIBC Director of Policy Justin Carpenter addresses how the looming threat of the Trump administration imposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico has a chilling effect on Michigan industry.
“In Michigan, we would be particularly vulnerable to feel the squeeze of increased tariffs. It is no surprise that Michigan and Canada share a close connection, with Michigan importing the second highest amount of Canadian goods of any state, but it can be difficult to fully comprehend the implications of what tariffs can do to the entire state’s supply chain,” Carpenter writes. “As a representative of an advanced energy trade organization, I have a front row seat to the shockwaves; but this isn’t an issue limited to one industry or sector. We are all participants in a global market.”
Carpenter then breaks down step by step how tariffs would impose additional costs on businesses that would be passed down to the consumer.
“Levying a tax on Canadian and Mexican imports would have an inordinate impact on the state’s industry and consumers, lower our standard of living and harm our GDP growth. We should be focusing on proven policies to support, expand and diversify our domestic manufacturing strength,” he writes in conclusion.
A Look At Michigan EIBC’s 2024 Key Accomplishments
Michigan EIBC recently compiled a list of our key accomplishments from 2024. Here is a summary of the highlights from that list:
Public Engagement:
● In collaboration with 5 Lakes Energy for Evergreen Collaborative, published a report examining the benefits of the 2023 clean energy legislation for Michigan.
● Institute for Energy Innovation, alongside the Michigan Clean Fuels Institute released a Transportation Electrification Roadmap for Michigan.
● Published 8 opinion pieces in publications like The Detroit News, Solar Today, Bridge Magazine, Energy News Network, and Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s Consumers Guide.
● Michigan EIBC staff were interviewed more than 30 times by print, radio, and TV news stations including Bridge Michigan, Michigan Advance, USA Today, Michigan Radio, Planet Detroit, NPR, Crain’s Detroit, mLive, and more.
● Michigan EIBC staff spoke at 16 external events and conferences.
Events & Membership:
● Welcomed 30 new members for a total of more than 170 advanced energy companies.
● Hosted over 300 attendees for our 12th Annual Conference and over 200 attendees for our 12th Annual Gala.
● Held 10 other events for policy makers, the public, and Michigan EIBC members.
Executive:
● Our Senior Director of Policy, Grace Michienzi, was appointed to the Michigan Council on Climate Solutions.
● Our Director of Policy, Justin Carpenter, was appointed to serve on the Michigan Community and Worker Economic Transition Office Advisory Committee.
● Successfully coordinated with the Governor’s office and legislators to include funding for charging, clean energy legislation implementation, weatherization of low-income Michiganders’ homes, and more in the FY25 state budget.
● Submitted comments to improve the state’s draft residential and commercial Uniform Energy Codes.
Legislative:
● Continued to advocate for the top legislative priorities of our members, including but not limited to:
○ Successfully advocated to pass legislation to ensure that HOAs cannot ban energy efficiency improvements, heat pumps, EV chargers, or rooftop solar (PA 68).
○ Reintroduced community solar legislation (SB 152/SB 153 and HB 4464/HB 4465) and successfully advocated for a hearing on the bills in June 2024.
○ Advocated for legislation to provide incentives for behind-the-meter energy storage systems with higher incentives for low-income residents (HB 4840) and legislation to enable aggregation of behind-the-meter energy storage systems (HB 4839), which were also introduced in the Senate (SB 772 and SB 773) in March 2024.
● Testified before multiple House and Senate Committees.
Regulatory:
● Intervened and fully participated in 10 contested cases at the Michigan Public Service Commission.
● Achieved successes including guarantees for more opportunities for third-party developed and owned renewable projects, improved electric vehicle programs, and future workgroups to explore issues like advanced metering infrastructure.
● Submitted more than 30 sets of comments to the Commission on topics including renewable energy siting, renewable energy plan cases, distribution system planning, interconnection issues, distributed generation, energy waste reduction and electrification, transportation electrification, energy storage, rate case procedures, and integrated resource planning requirements.
Register for 13th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference
Join us for our most popular event of the year! Register now for Michigan EIBC’s annual conference, to be held in East Lansing on April 2. This year’s keynote speaker will be Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II.
More details about speakers and panels are available on the conference website. Sponsorship opportunities are available now! Contact Brianna (brianna@mieibc.org) for more information.
ANNOUNCING BREAKOUT PANEL
Thank you to our sponsors!
TERAWATT 
MEGAWATT
KILOWATT
the WATT
Renewing Members
Founded in 2008, award-winning Better World Builders is Southwest Michigan’s premier Home Performance Contractor and your one-stop shop for everything related to energy efficiency. Our mission is to create added home value through healthy, resilient, and energy-efficient homes. We help our clients take control of their energy use and indoor air quality environments.
Our team of experts has an intimate understanding of building science that allows us to create custom plans to make even the oldest homes perform like new. The average person spends 90% of their time indoors, and Better World Builders team wants to make your indoor spaces as comfortable, safe, durable, and efficient as possible.
Development Solutions Midwest provides energy, engineering, and consulting services which lead to reducing our clients energy use and costs. We help reduce energy use through custom turnkey energy and sustainability solutions, such as energy/carbon footprint audits and assessments, project development and implementation, sustainability strategy and decarbonization plan development, energy purchasing costs, AI-based data analytics, ISO 50001, utility rebates and incentives, project/construction management, heat recovery and waste-heat-to-power feasibility, compressed air audits and leak surveys, and steam trap surveys. DSM has achieved over $200 million in energy savings and over $80 million in utility incentives for its clients.
SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association)
SEIA is the national trade association for the solar and storage industry, building an abundant, reliable, homegrown energy system through research, education, and advocacy. SEIA is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy. SEIA works with its 1,200 member companies and other strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power.
West Monroe is a leading partner for the nation’s largest electric, gas, and water utilities, working together to drive grid modernization, clean energy, digital and workforce transformation. West Monroe comprehensive services are designed to support utilities in advancing their digital transformation, building resilient operations, securing federal funding, and providing regulatory advisory support in T&D. With a multidisciplinary team of experts, West Monroe offers a holistic approach that addresses the challenges of the grid today and provides innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
Michigan Energy News
- Bridge Michigan talks to Michigan EIBC President Laura Sherman in an article about putting solar panels above parking lots.
- A University of Michigan team has launched a startup offering thermophotovoltaic technology featuring a modular panel that can turn heat into power.
- The Marquette City Commission votes to resolve to support a Michigan House bill that would expand the definition of clean energy systems to include Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines.
- WEMU’s ‘1st Friday Focus on the Environment’ segment interviews University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability Tishman Professor of Environmental Justice Tony Reames.
- A Comstock flower farm has used a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to install solar panels, increasing energy efficiency at the farm’s energy-intensive greenhouse.
National Energy News
- The joint venture Ionna says it is moving forward with its plan for a national EV charging network despite the move by the Trump administration to suspend the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.
- Supply chain disruptions have expanded the wait time from order to delivery for new transformers from four to six weeks five years ago to three years now.
- Illinois utility ComEd announces $100 million for EV and EV charger rebates.
- The U.S. set a record for clean energy installation capacity last year, according to a report from Cleanview.
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.
Advanced Energy United
Policy Principal – Central. Location: Remote.
United seeks an enthusiastic, smart, innovative Principal with a background in issue advocacy and/or coalition building at the state level to join our policy and campaign team. The principal will work with United team members to develop and implement multi-year strategies and initiatives designed to achieve policy successes at the state level that will accelerate the clean energy transition while expanding markets for the advanced energy industry. The Principal will craft and execute creative strategies to: enact pro-advanced energy policies in key states in our Central Region, primarily Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan with secondary focus on Wisconsin and Texas; educate and build support for advanced energy technologies and policies among key decision-makers within states; engage in regulatory proceedings in states; support and advocate for the implementation of the state and federal laws by state regulatory and executive agencies; defend existing advanced energy policies; and educate and activate policymakers and executive agency staff on regional solutions needed to achieve 100% clean energy. The principal will also lead, execute and/or support United’s regulatory engagements in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Candidates will need to have the ability to travel to meet with United members, coalition allies and stakeholders, and public officials.
Elevate
Director of Government Partnerships. Location: Chicago/Remote.
The Director of Government Partnerships manages federal and public sector funding opportunities to support a comprehensive development plan to diversify revenue streams, realize fundraising goals, and contribute to designing and implementing structures and systems. The Director of Government Partnerships leads Elevate’s strategy for public sector fundraising and oversees the development of government-funded proposals and programs in coordination with implementation teams and operations. This role partners with other Development Team members and colleagues across the organization to develop and achieve annual fundraising goals.
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Departmental Analyst 9-P11/12, MI Solar for All Program Analyst. Location: Lansing.
This is a limited term position that functions as the MI Solar for All (MISFA) program analyst in the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Executive Office, Office of Climate and Energy (OCE). The MISFA program has been awarded $156 million to support implementation of residential and community solar serving low-income and disadvantaged households to reduce household energy burden and greenhouse gas emissions. The program also includes energy storage deployment, enabling building upgrades, workforce development, community/technical assistance, vendor/consultant management, stakeholder engagement, site visits, and monitoring, performance and compliance activities.
Engineer 9-P11 – MI Solar for All Program Engineer. Location: Lansing.
This limited term position functions as the MI Solar for All (MISFA) program engineer in the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Executive Office, Office of Climate and Energy (OCE). The MISFA program has been awarded $156 million to support implementation of residential and community solar serving low-income and disadvantaged households to reduce household energy burden and greenhouse gas emissions. The program also includes energy storage deployment; enabling building upgrades; workforce development; community/technical assistance; vendor/consultant management; stakeholder engagement; site visits; and monitoring, performance, and compliance activities.
This position will help conduct research and analyses supporting successful deployment of the MISFA program. Topics may include electric reliability, energy resiliency, and solar and storage equipment types and operation. In addition, it will help develop, evaluate, and manage MISFA grant programs. The role will include collaborating with relevant entities, such as residential households, state agencies, local governments, Tribal nations, community-based organizations, and utilities to ensure developed programs meet Michigan community needs as well as MISFA programmatic needs.
Michigan and National Energy Events
Join Michigan EIBC for a public convening on March 4 to explore and learn about the many potential roles for hydrogen in our transportation, industrial, and power sectors. The event will include networking/lunch, a panel discussion with industry experts, and an optional tour of Michigan CAT’s Lansing facility. Register here.
The 13th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference will be held at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing on April 2. Register here.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s (EGLE) MI Healthy Climate Conference is taking place April 22-23 at the Huntington Place in Detroit. Find out more here.
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.
Michigan Clean Energy Leaders (MCEL), is seeking nominees for our next cohort. A fellowship program and network, MCEL convenes leaders to build relationships, share knowledge and skills, and nurture collaboration to accelerate Michigan’s clean energy transition. MCEL is seeking nominees — diverse in identity, background, geography and industry — who are in the first 10-15 years of a career in clean energy. Please visit micleanenergyleaders.com today to learn more and submit a nomination!
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 EIBC member Michigan Saves is excited to announce a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for predevelopment technical assistance services to help advance clean energy projects across Michigan. This initiative aims to equip organizations with the resources and expertise needed to design, develop, and implement impactful energy solutions. Michigan Saves encourages qualified professionals to submit their proposals and contribute to building a sustainable future. Find the RFQ here. The deadline for submitting responses is Feb. 21.
The MPSC has released a request for proposals seeking applicants for $4.875 million in Renewable Energy and Electrification Infrastructure Enhancement and Development grants. The deadline is March 20, and you can find out more at the MPSC’s webpage for the program here.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program is accepting applications from agricultural producers and rural small businesses for grants and guaranteed loans There is an upcoming deadline on March 31. Find out more here.
Michigan EGLE is offering at least $320,000 in funding MI Solar Communities-MI Solar Access Program. Applications will be accepted through March 31 or when funding is expended, whichever comes first. Find the request for proposals for MI Solar Access here.
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.