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June 20, 2025

Newsletter: EV Taxes, Senate Reconciliation Bill 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:

    Read Laura Sherman and Jane McCurry in Bridge Michigan

    In a new op-ed, Michigan EIBC President Laura Sherman and Clean Fuels Michigan Executive Director Jane McCurry explain how replacing the sales tax on gasoline with an equivalent increase in the gas tax would disproportionately shift the cost burden onto EV owners. 

    Because state EV registration fees are tied to the gas tax, a 20-cent gas tax increase paired with a 20-cent sales tax decrease would raise annual fees for EV drivers by $100 while gas-powered vehicles would see no change. The policy is meant to enhance road funding, but EV adoption isn’t high enough for the fee increase to make any significant impact.

    “Michigan is home to a growing EV manufacturing base and a workforce that’s adapting to build the cars of the future. We need policies that accelerate this transition, not policies that tell residents and businesses to think twice before making the switch,” Sherman and McCurry write.
     

    EVgo Awarded National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Contracts

    Michigan EIBC member EVgo was awarded two contracts by the Michigan Department of Transportation as part of their National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) deployment. 

    The 48 awarded projects will deploy direct current fast charging infrastructure along Lake Michigan and metropolitan centers, as well as rural areas like the Upper Peninsula, filling in gaps along major corridors and enabling more tourism. See the full list of Round 2 projects.

    Senate Budget Reconciliation Bill Cuts Tax Credits for Renewables

    The Senate released its proposal for the Big Beautiful Bill, keeping many of the Inflation Reduction Act cuts from the House version. Evergreen Action’s analysis details the provisions in the Senate version, noting how it is expected to “kill jobs, raise household energy bills, and worsen pollution.”

    The Senate bill phases out wind and solar tax credits faster than the House version, reducing the credit amount starting in 2026 and ending the credits by 2028. Credits for hydropower, geothermal and nuclear were extended through 2035. Credits for wind energy component manufacturing would phase out in 2027 and severe limitations would be placed on manufacturing credits for battery facilities. The Senate bill also cuts tax credits for EVs, clean energy manufacturing, home energy efficiency improvements, and residential clean energy.

    The bill may still change as it goes through the amendment and parliamentary process before being voted on by the full Senate.



    Join Michigan EIBC for our 13th Annual Energy Innovators Gala!

    Michigan EIBC is excited to welcome our members, Michigan legislators and state officials, and the general public to our 13th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala on September 24th at the Gem Theatre in Detroit. Our gala is a wonderful opportunity to network with colleagues, policymakers, and industry experts, all while celebrating the individuals and businesses who succeeded in growing Michigan’s advanced energy sector. Click here for more event information and to purchase tickets.



    THANK YOU TO OUR CURRENT SPONSORS!

    Sponsorship opportunities are available, please reach out to Brianna <brianna@mieibc.org> to sponsor.

    Renewing Member

    ESA Solar, LLC

    ESA Solar is a prominent clean energy development and decarbonization platform. Over the past decade, ESA has successfully transacted over 6 GW of operating solar energy projects and pre-construction development assets. Our diverse portfolio spans a broad array of asset classes, including installations at corporate headquarters, commercial and industrial facilities, community solar portfolios, and multi-100 MW utility-scale solar projects. ESA’s influence extends across 22 states, where projects have interconnected with 27 distinct utilities. ESA operates with the freedom and flexibility inherent in a privately owned and managed corporation. Stay up to date with our latest developments by following us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/24988385/. 


    ​

    Michigan Energy News

    • Environmental groups appeal the Trump administration order keeping the Campbell coal plant alive. 
    • The Michigan Public Service Commission ordered DTE and Consumers Energy to adopt 75 recommendations to improve reliability and storm restoration times. 
    • Michigan EIBC member Walker-Miller Energy Services’s CEO offered remarks at the 4th Annual Detroit Energy Challenge Awards Breakfast celebrating the city’s most energy efficient buildings. 
    • Gov. Whitmer led a Michigan business delegation to Australia this week to secure new investments in the state’s critical industries, including mobility and clean energy.

    National Energy News

    • Michigan EIBC, along with 40 other organizations, sent a letter to the U.S. Senate urging them to reject new fees on EVs and hybrids proposed during the budget reconciliation process.
    • Meta announced an agreement with XGS Energy to add 150 megawatts of geothermal energy in New Mexico to support data center expansion. 
    • The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) expects to have a surplus of 1.4 GW to 6.4 GW next summer, but its long-term outlook remains unclear.
    • The House budget reconciliation bill’s clean manufacturing tax credit repeals put more than two million jobs at risk, according to a new BlueGreen Alliance study.

     

    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 Kaei Li at kaei@mieibc.org. Please include in the email a specific end date for the job posting.

    Elevate

    Vice President, Development and Policy. Location: Chicago.

    The Vice President, Development and Policy furthers Elevate’s mission and vision by overseeing the fundraising and policy functions at the organization. This role leads funding/fundraising opportunities, philanthropic engagement, policy, advocacy activities, and supports the development of new strategic partnerships within the state and federal landscapes. In addition, this role collaborates across the organization with all departments, as well as with key partner organizations. This role is the people management of the Development and Policy teams.

     

    Michigan and National Energy Events

    Michigan EIBC is excited to welcome our members, Michigan legislators and state officials, and the general public to our 13th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala on Sept. 24 at the Gem Theatre in Detroit. For more event information and to purchase tickets, click here. 

    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

    Michigan 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 Water Energy Nexus Program.

    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 Centrepolis Accelerator has just announced a new round of the Make it in Michigan Prototyping Grant program offers funding to promising mobility and electrification technology companies, supporting their product development in collaboration with Michigan-based firms. This program is committed to advancing innovation across Michigan’s mobility and electrification sectors, emphasizing opportunities for startups, established firms, and disadvantaged businesses in distressed or rural communities, as well as companies relocating or expanding within Michigan. Learn more here. The deadline to apply is July 7.

    Consumers Energy has announced its 2025 All-Source RFP. Learn more here. The application deadline is July 15.

    Michigan EGLE has released an RFP for grants from its Clean Energy Workforce Development Program. The application deadline is July 30.

    The MPSC 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.