<< All News
July 30, 2026

Newsletter: Electrification Coalition Highlights, Line 5 Updates and More

Recent Posts

  • Newsletter: Electrification Coalition Highlights, Line 5 Updates and More
  • Newsletter: Governor Whitmer Makes Data Center Pledge, Jared Deluccia moderates MPSC panel, and more!
  • Comments on Competitive Bidding
  • Comments on DTE's Virtual Power Plant Expedited Pilot Proposal
  • Newsletter: Michigan EIBC, Industry Partners File Cross-Appeal Supporting Clean Energy Siting Law

    • Blog Categories

  • Blog (3)
  • EIBC in the News (1)
  • Newsletter (515)
  • Uncategorized (292)

    • 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:

    EIBC’s Justin Carpenter Speaks at Electrification Coalition Media Day

    Earlier this month, the Electrification Coalition, a nonpartisan organization that works to accelerate the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, held a press event, which highlighted how federal investments in EV charging infrastructure have expanded consumer choices while lowering transportation costs and improving Michigan’s economy.

    Michigan EIBC Director of Policy Justin Carpenter discussed how the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program has given the state clean fuel charging infrastructure (CFCI) program more optionality in where to install chargers with additional state funding. “Federal funding has allowed Michigan to expand charging infrastructure into more communities across the state, including rural areas,” said Carpenter. “Those investments help ensure that drivers everywhere, not just in major metropolitan areas, can benefit from electrification and participate in Michigan’s transportation future.”

    Speakers at the event also highlighted the Michigan Capitol Area Regional EV Charging Gateway Initiative, which was awarded an $8 million CFI grant to deploy up to 50 publicly accessible EV charging stations throughout Lansing and the Mid-Michigan region.

    Read more from Electrification Coalition

    Line 5 Receives Key Approval

    Last week, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources approved the Great Lakes Tunnel Project. This allows for the energy company Enbridge to begin the process of building a new tunnel to house its controversial fuel pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac. 

    As we highlighted in our Policy Roadmap for Efficient and All-electric Homes in Michigan, which was released in March of this year, reducing reliance on gas pipelines is essential for protecting consumers from both volatile fuel prices. As the costs of maintaining and expanding gas infrastructure continue to climb, creating upward pressure on utility rates, there are many other cost-effective energy options for Michigan. You can read our whole plan here.

    Register For the 14th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala

    Michigan EIBC’s 14th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala will return to Detroit’s Gem Theatre on October 7, bringing together more than 300 leaders from across Michigan’s advanced energy industry, government, and business community for an evening of networking and recognition. Since its inception, the Gala has become one of Michigan EIBC’s premier events, celebrating the companies, projects, and public officials helping advance Michigan’s energy economy while providing attendees an opportunity to connect with industry peers and policymakers. For event information and registration, click the button below.

    REGISTER FOR THE GALA HERE

    Michigan EIBC extends its sincere appreciation to this year’s Gala sponsors, whose support helps make the event possible. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact Brianna (brianna@mieibc.org) for more information!

    New Member

    Click logos to learn more

    IHI Terrasun delivers controls, analytics, and lifecycle services for utility-scale energy projects. Our Assured Controls platform and Assured Insights analytics enable reliable, high-performance operations across diverse assets. We support developers, owners, and integrators with system design, controls implementation, and long-term services including maintenance, IT/OT managed services, warranty administration, and spares management. Our asset-agnostic approach helps optimize lifecycle performance and reduce operational and financial risk.

    Michigan Energy News

    • DTE Energy is seeking 800 MW from renewable energy projects located in MISO states. (PV Magazine)
    • Why restarting a Michigan nuclear power plant could be much harder than expected. (New York Times)
    • Tariffs may be weakening Michigan’s small suppliers of vehicles. (The Center Square)
    • Heat waves and data centers have pushed Michigan’s electric grid to a tipping point. (MITechNews)
    • IONATE Deploys Smart Grid Solutions to Modernize General Motors’ Michigan Plant. (T&D News)  
    • GM Built 250,000 EVs That Could Power the Grid. The Hard Part Was Never the Technology. (Yahoo Autos)

    National Energy News

    • AGs from 19 States and DC have joined a lawsuit challenging the U.S.’s wind farm freeze. (Renewable Energy Magazine)
    • The US clean energy boom will continue to 2030. Then things get hazy. (Canary Media)
    • A Chinese manufacturer of underground storage will build a flywheel kinetic energy battery in the U.S. (Clean Technica)
    • A new California law will offer a $3,500 rebate for first-time EV buyers. (Canary Media)
    • Ford, Global Power Products debut home backup solution. (Utility Dive)
    • MichAuto Earns National “Best in Show” Recognition for State of Automobility Report. (MichAuto)

    Events

    • August 25: Renewables Ready Communities Award: Program Overview and Guidance Webinar – Join EGLE for an overview of Michigan’s new $90 million Renewables Ready Communities Award (RRCA), funded through the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. This webinar will introduce local government officials and planners to the potential revenue opportunity for communities involved in permitting utility‑scale renewable energy projects. Register here.
    • September 1: Powering Your Fleet: Maximizing Funding Opportunities to Enable Fleet Electrification – Join Michigan EIBC and Clean Fuels Michigan for a public convening workshop to learn more about funding opportunities available to public and private fleet operators to support fleet electrification. The event will feature industry experts and key state stakeholders to talk about how to stack available funding, coordinate with advisory services, and choose the right vehicles and charging to meet your needs. 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.

    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.

    Opportunities

    • *NEW* DTE will be issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for wind and solar projects on August 11, 2026 targeting 800 megawatts to support DTE Electric’s Voluntary Green Pricing (VGP) program. The RFP requires the wind and solar projects to achieve commercial operation by December 31, 2030. Projects must be interconnected to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) in the following states and zones: Michigan (Zone 2 or Zone 7), Arkansas (Zone 8), Illinois (Zone 2, 3, or 4), Iowa (Zone 1 or 3), Minnesota (Zone 1 or 3), Mississippi (Zone 10), Missouri (Zone 5), Texas (Zone 9) and Wisconsin (Zone 1 or 2). Bids are due September 23, 2026, and DTE expects to execute contracts in Q2 2027. Read more.
    • *NEW* 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.
    • 2026 Clean Energy Workforce Development Program: 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)

    Resources