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June 11, 2026

Newsletter: New op-ed on utility rate hikes, Harvest Solar’s stance on the REAP funding freeze, and more!

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  • Newsletter: New op-ed on utility rate hikes, Harvest Solar's stance on the REAP funding freeze, and more!
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  • Newsletter: Michigan EIBC Legislative Reception, Agrivoltaics, A2SEU, and more
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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 Op-Ed on Utility Rate Hikes by Dr. Laura Sherman

    In a new op-ed, Michigan EIBC President Dr. Laura Sherman argues that rising utility rates are driven not only by individual spending decisions but by the structure of utility regulation itself. The piece explains that Michigan’s investor-owned utilities earn returns on capital investments such as power plants, poles, and wires, creating incentives to pursue infrastructure-heavy solutions rather than lower-cost alternatives. To improve affordability, the op-ed calls for expanding performance-based regulation that rewards utilities for reliability and customer outcomes, as well as increasing competition in electricity generation through greater third-party ownership requirements in future utility resource plans. Dr. Sherman argues that aligning utility incentives with customer interests is essential to slowing rate increases and reducing energy costs for Michigan households.

    “And as long as utilities profit from building and spending more, electricity prices will keep going up,” says Dr. Sherman. “If we want lower bills, we need a system that aligns incentives with customer outcomes, rewards reliability, and saves money.”

    Read the Op-Ed Here

    Harvest Solar Urges Action on Frozen Federal Energy Grants

    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 June 4th along with Michigan EIBC Senior Director of Policy, Grace Michienzi, regarding the impact of a federal funding freeze on projects supported through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Bonthuis told lawmakers that 24 Harvest Solar projects across 18 Michigan businesses are now at risk after USDA halted reimbursement for projects that had already been approved, financed, and constructed. According to the testimony, the affected projects represent approximately $18 million in solar investment, including $7.7 million in completed projects for which businesses are still awaiting reimbursement. Bonthuis argued that participating farms and rural businesses followed all required federal procedures and made investments in good faith based on previously obligated funding, warning that continued delays could create significant financial hardship for both project owners and the companies that helped develop the projects. He called on lawmakers to urge USDA to honor its commitments and protect Michigan businesses impacted by the policy change.

    Read More

    New Community Solar Legislation Aims to Expand Access and Lower Energy Costs

    State Rep. Donavan McKinney (D-11) has introduced legislation (HB-6041) that would establish a community solar program in Michigan, allowing residents, businesses, and organizations to subscribe to shared solar projects and receive credits on their utility bills. Supporters say the proposal would expand access to clean energy for renters, low-income households, and others who cannot install rooftop solar while helping reduce energy costs and increase consumer choice. Earlier this year, Sen. Irwin (D-15) and Sen. McBroom (R-38) introduced similar legislation (SB-518 and SB-519) to establish a community solar program. If approved, Michigan would join dozens of other states that have established community solar programs as part of broader efforts to improve energy affordability and expand renewable energy access.

    Read More

    New Member

    Click logos to learn more

    AC Power is an award-winning, woman-owned development company that exclusively transforms contaminated and underutilized properties into clean energy assets. Specializing in brownfields, closed landfills, EPA Superfund sites, and formerly industrialized land, AC Power develops community solar and commercial-scale clean energy projects that generate local tax revenue, create jobs, and restore environmental value to communities. Since its founding in 2016, the company has sold 80 megawatts of developed projects and maintains an active pipeline of more than 200 megawatts across the Northeast and Midwest, establishing AC Power as a national leader in brownfield solar development.

    Renewing Members

    Bowman is a national engineering services firm delivering infrastructure solutions to customers who own, develop and maintain the built environment With over 2,300 employees in 100 locations throughout the United States, Bowman provides a variety of planning, engineering, geospatial, construction management, commissioning, environmental consulting, land procurement and other technical services to customers operating in a diverse set of regulated end markets.

    ESP earth (ESP) is a premier global strategy firm operating at the intersection of energy, security, and performance. We translate macro forces into executable strategy, mobilizing the right actors at the right moment to move complex initiatives from ambition to execution. ESP operates where government, industry, capital, and research converge – helping leaders see risk as it is, not as it was modeled, and building the institutional capacity to act accordingly. In an era where adaptation is no longer elective, we arethe execution partner for those who shape systems, set standards, and deploy capital at scale.

    GeoExchange is a nonprofit trade association promoting the manufacture, design and installation of geothermal heating and cooling technology, also known as ground source heat pumps. Our members include manufacturers, installers, technology providers, utilities, and others in Michigan and across the country.

    Michigan Energy News

    • Ann Arbor mayoral candidates spar over whether the city should pursue a municipal takeover of DTE Energy’s electric system. (MLive) 
    • New industry data shows strong demand for solar energy continues nationwide, with Michigan remaining one of the fastest-growing markets for new solar development. (Michigan Advance) 
    • Despite new state siting rules, some renewable energy projects in Michigan continue to face delays and opposition from local communities. (WCMU) 
    • MDOT is investing $100 million to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Michigan, helping support growing EV adoption and improve charging access statewide. (WOOD TV8) 
    • Consumers Energy shares tips to help customers reduce electricity use and manage energy bills during periods of extreme summer heat. (The Morning Sun) 

    National Energy News

    • Hawaii’s electricity bills are falling as the state expands renewable energy and reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels. (Heatmap) 
    • FirstEnergy asks FERC to approve a new process aimed at accelerating transmission interconnections for large data center projects. (Utility Dive) 
    • Veolia launches a new initiative to help commercial real estate owners reduce energy costs and improve building sustainability through decarbonization and efficiency solutions. (Veolia North America) 
    • Inflation rises above 4% as higher energy costs continue to put pressure on household budgets and consumer spending. (U.S. News & World Report) 
    • GM will allow eligible EV owners to sell electricity back to the grid, expanding vehicle-to-grid capabilities aimed at improving grid reliability and creating new revenue opportunities for drivers. (Reuters) 

    Events

    • 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.
    • 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.
    • July 23-24: Michigan Energy Providers Conference – Join energy industry leaders, policymakers, utility representatives, regulators, and stakeholders from across Michigan at the 70th Annual Michigan Energy Providers Conference at Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire. The conference provides opportunities to learn about key energy policy developments, discuss challenges and opportunities facing Michigan’s electric and natural gas sectors, and connect with professionals from across the energy industry through educational sessions and networking events. See event details here.
    • July 29: Multi-Modal eMobility Summit – Explore the future of electric transportation at the Gross Ile Municipal  Airport. This unique event will feature electric aircraft, EV charging demonstrations, industry roundtables, exhibitor showcases, and networking opportunities highlighting innovations in air, land, and marine mobility. 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 Charlotte Bunch at cbunch@5lakesenergy.com. Please include in the email a specific end date for the job posting.

    Opportunities

    Resources