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 Grace Michienzi in Planet Detroit

In a new op-ed in Planet Detroit, Michigan EIBC’s Senior Director of Policy Grace Michienzi lays out a pathway to affordable home energy through coordinated actions by the governor, legislature, and regulators. The roadmap will not only lower bills, but also improve health and create jobs. 

“Michigan will need to make major investments in new and existing programs to ensure widespread adoption of the roadmap’s goals,” writes Michienzi. “But subsidies alone won’t close the gap; we need a whole-of-government approach.” 

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New Report Lays Out Policies to Cut Energy Costs

Evergreen Collaborative and the Natural Resources Defense Council published a new report laying out policies that can provide up to $800 in electricity cost savings per household by 2030. The groups highlighted three key near-term policy actions:

• Expanding customer-owned clean energy, energy efficiency, and demand response.
• Requiring data centers to pay the full amount of the energy and infrastructure they require.
• Right-sizing utility profit margins.

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Michigan EIBC 14th Annual Conference

Join Michigan EIBC on May 6 for our 14th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in East Lansing, MI! Registration closes on Wednesday, April 22.

Our most popular event of the year, the annual conference brings together leaders in Michigan’s advanced energy industry, utility executives, policymakers, regulators, and others  for an opportunity to network, learn about innovations in advanced energy, and get an overview on the latest policy developments. Our conference includes: main-stage panels, several break-out panels with dozens of expert panelists, presentations from energy experts, a pre-and post-reception, and plenty of time for networking. 

We’re excited to announce the lineup for Siting Projects After PA 233: Challenges and Opportunities, a panel at the conference. Check out the rest of the agenda here.

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS!

Please reach out to Brianna <brianna@mieibc.org> to sponsor.

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Michigan Energy News

• Michigan EIBC member RWE filed a siting application with the MPSC for a 200 MW solar farm in Ottawa County after failing to gain traction with local officials. (Fox 17)
• The MPSC warned Consumers Energy to include virtual power plant considerations in future rate cases. (MI Public)
• Gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson (D) unveiled an energy plan that includes limiting political contributions from utilities, modernizing the grid, and reforming the rate-setting process. (Benson)
• Oshtemo Township, near Kalamazoo, is debating a 260 MW battery system, with residents wary of fire risk and environmental disruption. (MLive)
• Michigan EIBC President Laura Sherman said “it just makes sense” for utilities to incorporate virtual power plants after the MPSC ordered Consumers Energy to consider them in future rate and planning cases. (Renewable Energy World)

National Energy News

• The Department of Energy proposes cutting non-defense spending by 16% in the FY 2027 budget. (Utility Dive)
• Microsoft announced that it will pause carbon removal purchases. The company made 90% of all carbon removal purchases last year. (Heatmap)
• The Department of Interior has failed to submit congressionally-mandated reports on its reviews of energy projects. (NOTUS)

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Events

• April 17: Michigan Model for Siting Renewable Energy: Policy, Implementation, and Impacts Symposium — The symposium hosted by the University of Michigan will have a morning session open to the public and an afternoon session inviting a select group of stakeholders. Complete the interest form to join the afternoon session.
• April 21: 2026 MI Healthy Climate Conference —This year’s conference is focused on “Advancing Climate Action Together.” Register by April 13
• May 6: Michigan EIBC Annual Conference — Our conference includes: main-stage panels, several break-out panels with dozens of expert panelists, presentations from energy experts, a pre-and post-reception, and plenty of time for networking. Register by April 22
• May 7: Charting Michigan’s Data Center Future Together — The University of Michigan is hosting a convening that brings together state and local leaders, community groups, the private sector, and researchers to discuss data center development in Michigan. Register by April 22
• 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.

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

• Advanced Energy United Policy Principal – Decision Maker Education & Engagement

Opportunities

• 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)
  • Water Energy Nexus Program 
  • Clean Fuel and Charging Infrastructure 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.