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May 10, 2025

Newsletter: EV Tax Letter to Congress, Home Energy Rebate Program and More

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  • Newsletter: MI Clean Energy Leaders Cohort, Gala Registration 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 Signs EV Tax Letter to Congress

    Michigan EIBC joined 33 other trade and non-profit organizations in signing a letter to the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure urging caution in implementing an annual registration tax on EV and hybrid drivers. Proposed on April 30th by Committee Chairman Sam Graves to be included in budget reconciliation legislation, the tax would impose an annual fee of $200, $100, and $20 on all EV, hybrid, and gas-powered vehicle (ICE) drivers, respectively, effective in 2031 to support the U.S. Highway Trust Fund. 

    Currently, the U.S. Highway Transportation Fund is largely supported by revenues collected from a federal gas tax rate of 18.4 cents per gallon. As such, a driver of an average light duty gas-powered vehicle currently pays only $82.25 in federal taxes per year. Under this proposal, EV drivers would pay nearly double the amount paid by ICE drivers annually. 

    This comes on the heels of legislators across the country, including in Michigan, introducing EV registration tax increases to fill state Department of Transportation road funding gaps. Experts agree that, given EV adoption, these fee increases would not solve the revenue gaps at the state or federal levels, but would discourage future EV adoption. We need long-term, comprehensive solutions that fairly tax all road users, not policies that unfairly target a single group of drivers.

     

    Michigan Launches Home Energy Rebates Program

    Up to 15,000 Michigan households can qualify for up to $34,000 rebates for energy efficiency and electrification upgrades under the Michigan Home Energy Rebates Program (MiHER) program, which Gov. Whitmer announced was launching statewide last week.

    MiHER consists of two pieces: First, Home Efficiency Rebates (HER) are available for up to $20,000 in whole-home energy efficiency upgrades, including insulation, air sealing, and heating and cooling, that save 15%-20% of the home’s energy use. Second, Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) are available for up to $14,000 for high-efficiency home appliances and equipment, such as up to $2,500 for electric wiring upgrades or $8,000 for a heat pump for heating or cooling.The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is planning to prioritize funding for households at or below 80% of their county’s Area Median Income (AMI).

    The state of Michigan has received $210 million for MiHER from the U.S. Department of Energy under the Inflation Reduction Act, with $105.7 of that amount for HER and $105.3 million for HEAR.


    New Member

    Solscient Energy, LLC

    Solscient Energy is a Midwest-based solar developer delivering high-impact, cost-effective renewable energy solutions for commercial, industrial, and municipal clients. Our mission is to make solar strategic and simple—unlocking long-term savings, energy resilience, and environmental impact. We specialize in project development, incentive financing, and fully managed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) that align with our clients’ financial and sustainability goals. 


    ​

    Michigan Energy News

    National Energy News

    • The results of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MISO) summer capacity auction show the need to increase capacity, the grid operator says.
    • Tariffs may hit natural gas generation harder than renewables and storage, according to NextEra Energy CEO John Ketchum.
    • Michigan EIBC member Schneider Electric announces a consulting service to boost operational efficiency for data centers.

     

    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.


    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

    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.