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:

Court Strikes Down Energy Department Order to Keep Michigan Coal Plant Open

A federal court ruled last week that the U.S. Department of Energy exceeded its authority when it forced a Michigan coal-fired power plant to remain open past its scheduled retirement date. Consumers Energy was set to shut down the 64-year-old J.H. Campbell plant in May of 2025 when the Trump Administration, claiming an energy emergency, ordered the plant to stay open.

The utility secured regulatory approval in a 2022 settlement of its Integrated Resource Plan to close the plant and replace it with a mix of expanded and new electricity-generation sources. Michigan EIBC served as a party to the case, advocating for a switch to cleaner, less expensive energy sources. Keeping the coal plant open has cost an estimated $259 million thus far, with those costs likely passed onto families and businesses across the Midwest. The states of Illinois and Minnesota joined Michigan and clean energy and environmental law advocacy organizations across the U.S. to sue to allow Consumers to close the plant. The administration has not yet signaled whether it will appeal the decision.

More from: Detroit Free Press | Bridge Michigan | The New York Times

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Dr. Laura Sherman Pens Opinion on REAP Funding Cuts for Ottawa News Network

In a new opinion piece for the Ottawa News Network, Michigan EIBC President Dr. Laura Sherman discusses the impacts of cuts to the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program.

This spring, millions of dollars of funding for REAP was rescinded by the Trump administration. As a result, Michigan farmers, acting on the promise of funding for much-needed equipment and efficiency upgrades, were left holding the bag when it came time to pay the bills. In June, Allen Bonthuis, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Michigan EIBC member company Harvest Solar, testified before the Michigan Senate Energy and Environment Committee on the impacts of this federal funding freeze. He noted that projects affected amounted to $18 million in solar investment, including $7.7 million in completed projects for which businesses are still awaiting reimbursement.

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Registration closes end of day on Monday, September 21

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.

Keynote Speaker Darrin Camilleri

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Renewing Members

Click logos to learn more

Palmetto is expanding access to clean energy with novel platform solutions that empower homeowners to go solar, enable businesses to grow, and drive environmental impact at scale.

We at SWCA are the problem solvers. We are the scientists, the planners, the technical specialists, and the creative thinkers. Since 1981, SWCA has helped public and private clients overcome environmental challenges and move their projects forward. Our 100% employee-owned firm offers comprehensive environmental planning, regulatory compliance, and natural and cultural resources management services. We work together to understand the full life cycle of any project, from inception to completion. In the face of rapid environmental, economic, and societal changes, our purpose is simple: to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today. We do that by offering a suite of environmental consulting services combined with local knowledge, regulatory expertise, and high-quality service. We build long-term, trusting relationships with our clients and guide their projects to successful completion. With a nationwide presence, SWCA is able to rapidly pool resources and respond to our clients’ needs.

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Michigan Energy News

• A federal court has ruled that a Michigan coal plant set to close was illegally kept open. (Detroit Free Press)
• Pacific Gas & Electric Co. is teaming up with Google, Rewiring America and other partners to enroll tens of thousands of customers in a virtual power plant network. (Utility Dive)
• Consumers Energy unveils a 20-year integrated resourceplan. (WLNS)
• Consumers Energy has extended its deadline for the proposed sale of 13 Michigan dams. (ABC12)
• A proposed solar farm draws pushback at a public meeting in Cheboygan County. (WCMU)
• A Saginaw data center public panel leaves attendees with more questions than answers. (WCMU)
• After years in the making, a golf course is officially on its way to becoming a battery energy storage system. (WWMT)
• Whitmer says EGLE must consider Michigan Supreme Court ruling on Line 5 permits. (Michigan Advance)
• The University of Michigan will spend $26 million to transform a 70 year old car lab into an electric vehicle research facility. (Mlive)

National Energy News

• Trump’s EPA has repealed pollution limits on fossil fuel power plants. (Michigan Public)
• Can steelmaking waste help solar power store energy? (Penn State)
• More than 56% of California electricity demand is supplied by wind, water, and solar in 2026. (Cleantechnica)
• Could rock be used as a battery for renewables? (EuroNews)
• A solar-plus-storage project faced no opposition despite growing pushback to clean energy in Ohio. (Ohio Capital Journal)
• A new Volkswagon prototype breaks efficiency record with a new EV prototype. (Techcrunch)
• Demand for EV chargers is outstripping supply. (ArsTechnica)

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Events

• September and October (see website for specific dates and locations): Renewable Energy Fundamentals— This program will explore what is currently known, where uncertainty remains, and how different perspectives and community priorities shape decision-making. This 4-hour program provides research-based information on the topics communities frequently raise. Through presentations, discussion, and networking, participants will gain a better understanding of Michigan’s evolving energy landscape and leave with resources to support continued learning and community conversations. Register here.
• September 27-29: Resilience and Equity in the Clean Energy Sector Summit— Founded in Detroit, RECESS intentionally invites Black, Indigenous, Brown, and other historically underrepresented communities into meaningful participation, understanding, and awareness of the clean energy ecosystem. By bringing together community members, students, entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders, RECESS helps ensure the clean energy transition is inclusive and delivers benefits to the people most impacted by climate change, economic exclusion, and energy injustice. 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.
• October 12-15: The Battery Show of North America — Join informa for three full days of conference programming featuring over 140 hours of expert-led sessions and more than 250 speakers spanning advanced battery design, manufacturing, safety, recycling, market strategy, and more — plus exclusive keynotes from leading OEMs and industry innovators. 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.

• Evergreen Action – Midwest Regional Advocate
• Great Plains Institute (GPI) – Director Of Utility and Regulatory Innovation
• Advanced Energy United – Policy Principal, Decision-Maker Education & Engagement

Opportunities

• The County of Wayne is requesting responses from qualified contractors in order to create a list of pre-qualified contractors to provide energy efficiency project services at County owned properties and projects with local governments throughout Wayne County’s 43 Communities. A virtual pre-bid conference was held on Wednesday, August 26. Please feel free to reach out to Sean Regan in the Wayne County procurement team with any questions. 
• 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.
• 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)
  • Agricultural Business Energy Incentive Program
  • Community Energy Management Program
  • Small Manufacturers Retooling
  • Water Energy Nexus Program 
  • Clean Fuel and Charging Infrastructure Program
  • MI Solar Access Program
  • Fuel Transformation Program

Resources

• The Small Business Association of Michigan published a compilation of available clean energy federal tax credits for businesses. See Clean Energy Tax Credits for Michigan Businesses
  • EGLE RETAP and DOE’s Onsite TAP can assist with assessing the suitability of a various clean energy projects for Michigan businesses
  • MSU’s ITAC program and EGLE RETAP can assist businesses with energy efficiency audits and recommendations
• The National Governors Association and the National League of Cities EV Workforce Collaborative Resource Hub
• Michigan Department of Natural Resources best practices for wind energy and wildlife in Michigan
• The 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.
  • See new deadlines for elective pay following the passage of OBBBA.
• 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.
• 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.