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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:
New EGLE Opportunities
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced several new funding opportunities to support energy efficiency, clean energy adoption, and cost savings across the state. Programs include the Agricultural Businesses Energy Incentive Program, Community Energy Management Program, Fuel Transformation Program, and Small Manufacturers Retooling Initiative. EGLE is also advancing the MI Solar Access Program, which will support the development of community solar projects to expand access for low- and moderate-income households.
In addition, letters of intent were due this week for MI Healthy Climate Challenge #4: “Go Big, Go Clean,” focused on large-scale projects that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate progress toward Michigan’s climate goals. Together, these opportunities aim to lower energy costs, expand access to clean energy, and support deployment across key sectors of the state’s economy.
New Report Highlights Rising Energy Costs and Policy Impacts
A new report from Climate Power examines the drivers behind rising energy costs across the U.S., pointing to a combination of increasing demand, aging infrastructure, and recent federal policy decisions affecting clean energy investment. The report highlights how delays or rollbacks in clean energy deployment can raise electricity prices by limiting access to lower-cost generation resources and increasing reliance on more expensive fuels.
The analysis also emphasizes the role of state-level policy in mitigating cost pressures, noting that investments in energy efficiency, grid modernization, and distributed energy resources can help stabilize rates over time. As energy demand continues to grow (particularly in sectors such as data centers), the report underscores the importance of policies that support the development of reliable, affordable, and clean energy.
New Members
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Renewing Members
Michigan Energy News
- Rep. Donovan McKinney introduced new community solar legislation that would ensure at least 10% energy bill savings for subscribers. (MI Advance)
- Slate Auto plans to invest $10.4 million at its metro-Detroit headquarters as it prepares to launch an electric pickup later this year. (Crain’s Detroit)
- The MPSC is seeking public comments on a staff report on shutoff protections for critical care households. (MPSC)
- DTE Energy has issued a request for proposals for 1 GW of wind and solar energy. (Renewables Now)
- Consumers Energy eyes farmland near Ann Arbor for a new gas-fired power plant. (MLive)
Michigan Energy News
- A new bipartisan House bill would create an annual $130 federal EV fee if passed. (NYT)
- The Environmental Defense Fund reports a net loss of 5,900 renewable energy jobs in Q1 of 2026 in the United States. (Utility Dive)
- A federal court of appeals heard oral argument on the legality of the Trump administration’s emergency order keeping the Campbell coal plant open. Meanwhile, another emergency order will keep the plant open through mid-August. (Michigan Public, WOODTV)
- Ford signed a five-year energy storage deal with Michigan EIBC member EDF, supplying up to 20 GWh. (Reuters)
Events
- 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 1-4: Michigan EIBC will be exhibiting at CLEANPOWER in Houston, Texas — Come visit Brianna, Justin, and Abby at booth 1521!
- June 16: 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.
- *NEW* June 24: Michigan EIBC Public Convening: Agrivoltaics — Join Michigan EIBC for a public convening to learn about the opportunities agrivoltaics can provide for both the energy grid and farmers. See Michigan State’s Kellogg Research Extension research firsthand, and listen to a panel discussion focused on financing for agrivoltaic projects, advantages and challenges for crops with solar co-location, and innovative ways solar can be integrated into agriculture. See event details here.
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.
Opportunities
- Ann Arbor Sustainable Energy Utility released an invitation to bid for up to $2 million in solar PV modules for residential and commercial projects planned for 2027 and 202, with bids due May 27
- Michigan Public Service Commission request for proposals for the administration of about $93 million in funding to assist income-eligible households reduce energy insecurity (Grant proposals due June 12, 2026 at 3 PM).
- 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)
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.