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:

2026 Energy Innovators Conference

Michigan EIBC’s 14th Annual Energy Innovators Conference was a blast! From the challenges of data center demand surge to bridging clean energy with community building to taking advantage of direct pay tax credits, the conference spanned the breadth of innovative ideas and practical advice. Thank you to everyone who joined us this week, and especially to our speakers and sponsors who made the conference such a success!

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Michigan Court of Appeals Upholds State Authority Over Renewable Energy Siting

The Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld the Michigan Public Service Commission’s authority to implement the statewide siting and permitting process for renewable energy and energy storage projects under Public Act 233. The ruling affirms the Commission’s role in establishing consistent standards across the state and supports its definition of a “Compatible Renewable Energy Ordinance,” providing clarity for developers, local governments, and landowners.

As intervening parties in the case, Michigan EIBC, Institute for Energy Innovation (IEI), Clean Grid Alliance, and Advanced Energy United say the decision strengthens regulatory certainty and will help drive investment, job creation, and clean energy development in Michigan. “The Court of Appeals affirmed the ability for Michiganders to use their land as they wish while stimulating job creation and economic development. We expect to remain engaged in this legal process to ensure that Michigan remains a national leader in the clean energy industry, while  protecting property rights and supporting local communities.” said Dr. Laura Sherman, President of Michigan EIBC and IEI, in a statement.

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Michigan Energy News

• Michigan EIBC member General Motors announced it is now sourcing 100% renewable energy for its U.S. operations. (ESG Dive)
• Michigan’s 2026 gubernatorial candidates differ on whether and how Michigan should regulate and attract data centers, citing energy demand and environmental concerns. (Detroit Free Press)
• A supplemental municipal utility in Ann Arbor has begun solar and energy storage installations. (Utility Dive)
• The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy launched new initiative to improve end-of-life battery management and recycling. (EGLE)
• Michigan plans to add 60 new EV charging stations after the federal government released $51 million in NEVI funds. (Bridge)

National Energy News

• HUD and USDA rescinded federal housing energy-efficiency requirements tied to the 2021 energy code, arguing the standards raised construction costs and limited housing supply. (Smart Cities Dive)
• Rapid solar growth in the Midwest is outpacing grid planning, creating reliability and cost risks due to transmission bottlenecks and slow infrastructure upgrades. (The Guardian)
• NERC issued a rare level 3 alert warning of grid risks from data center load losses. (Utility Dive)
• Pentagon concerns contributed to delays in U.S. wind energy projects. (The New York Times)

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Events

• May 14: Michigan Energy Summit hosted by MiGBC — The Michigan Energy Summit will be hosted at the Lansing Center and feature keynote speaker Vincent Martinez, CEO of Architecture 2030. Come celebrate this year’s Michigan Battle of the Buildings award winners and toast to their energy accomplishments! Learn more and register here.
• May 15: Workers Gala — The Workforce Development Institute’s Workers Gala will celebrate workers and labor allies, and raise funds for apprenticeship readiness programs across Michigan. Get tickets
• May 27-28: IES Energy Symposium 2026 — Join the University of Michigan’s Institute for Energy Solutions to discuss opportunities in electricity grid technology and computation, biotechnology for energy feedstocks, critical minerals, geothermal systems, data centers, behavioral challenges in energy, and more. More details will be added to the symposium website as they become available. Registration is free but limited due to the size of the event space.
• May 28: Michigan EIBC Legislative Reception — Join Michigan EIBC for a legislative reception following the Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference. See event details here. No registration necessary.
• June 10: Institute for Energy Innovation Energy 101 — Come learn about how advanced energy and mobility technologies stem the tide of rising energy bills while improving energy resiliency and reliability. For Michigan EIBC members and legislators/staff only, please email mieibc@mieibc.org for more information.

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Jobs

If you have a job announcement you would like in the newsletter, please send the position and a link to apply to Charlotte Bunch at cbunch@5lakesenergy.com. Please include in the email a specific end date for the job posting.

• *New* 5 Lakes Energy Communications Manager (Apply by May 15)
• *New* Elevate Senior Project Consultant, Community Consulting
• Elevate Construction Project Manager, National Strategic Engagement Team (MI)
• Elevate Senior Technical Lead, National Strategic Engagement Team (WI)

Opportunities

• *NEW* Michigan Public Service Commission request for proposals for the administration of about $93 million in funding to assist income-eligible households reduce energy insecurity (Pre-prosal meeting on May 14, from 10-12 p.m., grant proposals due June 12 at 3 p.m.).
• MI Healthy Climate Challenge #4 on industrial decarbonization (Letters of intent due May 19)
• 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
  • *NEW* MI Solar Access 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 
• Michigan Department of Natural Resources best practices for solar 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 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.