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 and Clean Fuels Michigan Hosts Public Convening on Fleet Vehicle Electrification

On June 1, Michigan EIBC and Clean Fuels Michigan welcomed EV industry leaders, agency professionals, and nonprofit organizations to a public convening in Grand Rapids at Hoekstra Transportation to highlight existing utility programs and state grants available to public and private fleet operators to support fleet electrification. Attendees also heard from  EV industry and utility professionals, local and state agency affiliates, and policy experts about the benefits and business case of fleet electrification.

Michigan EIBC policy principal, Sophia Schuster, observed that “fleet electrification trades unpredictable fuel and maintenance repairs for lower operating costs and long-term savings, but making that transition can be daunting for fleet operators who are not familiar with the technology. It is vitally important that we bring these stakeholders together to help our local businesses feel comfortable making the switch and get the most out of their upgraded fleet vehicles.”

Download the flyer to find more about state grants and utility programs or check out the Clean Fleets Resource Hub here.

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Ingham County Solar Siting Settlement

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved a settlement allowing Michigan EIBC member Ranger Power to build a 90-megawatt (MW) solar facility to be built in Ingham County. The agreement includes $2,000 per MW for the community and additional funding for township legal expenses, drain maintenance, and local fire personnel and first-responder training.

This is the first project to be approved by the MPSC under Public Act 233 of 2023, which created a state-level siting process for large renewable energy facilities such as solar, wind and battery storage. Michigan EIBC advocated for this law with the goal of enabling interested farmers and landowners across Michigan to host these projects, ensuring long-lasting benefits for those individuals as well as the local communities. 

Read more.

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Keynote Speaker for the 14th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala

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.

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!

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Renewing Members

Click logos to learn more

With over a decade of experience operating distribution grid assets in real-time, Utilidata is bringing distributed AI to the edge of the grid to accelerate decarbonization and better serve people.

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Michigan Energy News

• The MPSC approved a settlement agreement permitting developer Ranger Power to construct a 90-megawatt solar facility (Crain’s Detroit).
• A new study found that as Michigan’s EV charging network continues to expand, lower-income residents still face barriers to accessing electric transportation. (Spartan Newsroom)
• Michigan residents have until September 30 to claim credits to ease winter heating bills. (WZZM13)
• Consumers Energy restores 6,700 acres for public use across Michigan (9and10 News)
• Leaders say a now-open 300-acre solar park in Genesee County will save school districts millions of dollars. (WNEM)
• Detroit’s City Planning Commission is developing recommendations for a data center ordinance after several working groups met in the spring and early summer. (Planet Detroit)

National Energy News

• Amazon signed agreements to purchase electricity from four Swedish wind farms to support growing data center demand. (Energy Connects)
• More than 10,800 K-12 schools across the United States now use solar energy, bringing installed school solar capacity to 2.4 GW. (PV Magazine)
• U.S. solar factories are opening every month as domestic capacity surges 750%. (Yahoo Finance)
• Utah begins a long-term geothermal test. (Utility Dive) How consumers can sign up for a virtual power plant. (MIT Tech)

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Events

• September 9-10: RE+ Midwest— RE+ Midwest brings together leading clean energy businesses, utilities, professionals, and policymakers for an exclusive two-day event designed to empower you to meet the energy transition head on. This year’s education programming has expanded to include in-depth sessions surrounding siting, land use, and community energy in addition to state energy briefings and panels discussing relevant market trends in the region. From rustbelt to greenbelt, clean energy is a force moving forward, and the Midwest is no exception. Register here.
• 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.

RE+ Midwest brings together leading clean energy businesses, utilities, professionals, and policymakers for an exclusive two-day event designed to empower you to meet the energy transition head on. This year’s education programming has expanded to include in-depth sessions surrounding siting, land use, and community energy in addition to state energy briefings and panels discussing relevant market trends in the region. From rustbelt to greenbelt, clean energy is a force moving forward, and the Midwest is no exception. 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.