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May 17, 2025

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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:

     


     

    IEI Releases New Report on Urgent Need for Certain, Supportive Automotive Sector Policies

    The Institute for Energy Innovation, the research branch of the Michigan Innovation Energy Business Council, recently released a report titled Legacy, Innovation, and the Race Against China: The Automotive Industry and the Michigan Economy and an accompanying factsheet. The report underscores Michigan’s pivotal role in the U.S. automotive sector and the urgent need for economic stability and supportive policies to maintain its leadership in the face of global competition. Michigan accounts for nearly 19% of U.S. auto manufacturing, the highest in the nation, and the mobility sector contributes approximately $348 billion annually to the state’s economy, supporting over 20% of its workforce.    

    The report, which was covered in Gongwer, also highlights what the growth in electric vehicles (EVs) adoption means for Michigan’s economy. U.S. EV sales increased from less than 400,000 in 2015 to nearly 1.5 million in 2025, now accounting for almost 10% of new car purchases. Today, more than 6.4 million EVs are driving on U.S. roads. As the leader in auto manufacturing, this growth has attracted $26.2 billion in private investments for EV and battery manufacturing to Michigan, creating over 25,000 jobs. Projections indicate that continued EV adoption could lead to more than 50,000 new jobs in Michigan by 2030. As such, Michigan has already greatly benefited from increased EV manufacturing, and it stands to gain so much more.  

    Despite this, the report warns that the promised economic benefits that the state stands to gain from increased EV adoption and manufacturing is at risk due to rising economic unpredictability, the rollback of critical federal incentives, and a burgeoning Chinese EV industry taking hold of the global market. With the state’s economic future so closely tied to its ability to lead in the evolving automotive landscape, the implementation of dependable, supportive state and federal policy action is imperative. Absent this, the U.S. is forfeiting American jobs, investment, and innovative opportunities to China. Of all states, Michigan has the most to lose. 

    The report’s lead author, Michigan EIBC Policy Principal Sophia Schuster, appeared on Atlas Public Policy’s EV Hub Live podcast on May 12 to discuss the report’s findings along with MICHauto Executive Director Glenn Stevens. On the podcast, both urged legislators on both sides of the aisle to focus on the economic value over the politics of EVs, emphasizing the catastrophic impact that such short-sighted policy action could have on our collective economic future.   

     

    Michigan EIBC, Member Companies Respond to Proposed Tax Credit Rollback

    The biggest energy news this week was the introduction to Congress of a bill that would enact an early phaseout of much of the clean energy tax credits created by the Inflation Reduction Act. Michigan EIBC and member companies responded by participating in several media events raising awareness about the devastating effect that cutting these incentives would have on jobs and economic growth in Michigan and elsewhere.

    On May 15, Michigan EIBC hosted a virtual press conference with representatives from several member companies. They urged Michigan’s congressional delegation to protect the federal incentives that are driving job creation, economic growth, and innovation across the state. You can watch a recording of the full event here and read the press release with quotes here.

    The participants in the press conference were:

    • John Jevahirian, Vice President of Operations, Michigan Solar Solutions
    • Dr. Edward Shaffer, CEO & Founder, Advanced Battery Concepts
    • Komal Doshi, Vice President of Electrification and Mobility, Walker-Miller Energy Services 
    • Kevin O’Connell, Advanced Energy Systems Manager, Michigan CAT
    • Dr. Laura Sherman, President, Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council

    Also this week, on May 14, Climate Power hosted a virtual media roundtable calling for the tax credits to be preserved. It featured Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist alongside Michigan EIBC Director of Policy Justin Carpenter, CEO and Co-Founder of Michigan EIBC member company Absolute Solar Rob Kaercher, and representatives of IBEW Local 352.


    New Member

     

    Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) 
    CIP is the world’s largest fund manager dedicated to sustainable energy infrastructure projects and brings a strong track-record of executing power projects in North America and globally. ~$34 billion in assets under management from ~160 global investors across 12 funds since establishment of CIP in 2012. ~16 GW in operation or construction and ~150 GW in development with a market leading and pioneering investment pipeline of renewables, Power-to-X, batteries, and other energy technologies. 


    Renewing Member

    Tetra Tech
    Tetra Tech is a leading provider of environmental consulting, engineering, and technical services worldwide. We are a diverse company, including individuals with expertise in science, research, engineering, construction, and information technology. Our strength is in collectively providing integrated services, delivering the best solutions to meet our clients’ needs. 


    ​

    Michigan Energy News

    • Consumers Energy begins construction of its Blackman Solar Gardens project.
    • Several Michigan Republican legislators are writing to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum expressing concern about the reliability of Michigan’s grid amidst the early closure of the J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant.
    • The City of Detroit releases new information about plans to build solar arrays in several blighted city neighborhoods.

    National Energy News

    • Michigan EIBC member General Motors announces groundbreaking new battery chemistry expected to increase EV range and affordability.
    • Michigan EIBC member FLO partners with EnergyHub on EV-managed charging programs.
    • Small modular nuclear reactor developer NuScale expects federal approval of its design this July.
    • The number of data center proposals that will never get built is “making it much more difficult for utilities and grid operators to plan for the future,” Utility Dive reports.

     

    Job Board

    Attention Michigan EIBC members: if you have a job announcement you would like in the newsletter, please send a paragraph describing the position and a link to apply to Matt Bandyk at matt@mieibc.org. Please include in the email a specific end date for the job posting.


     

    Apex Clean Energy

    Development Manager, MISO. Location: Remote.

    At the direction of the Director of Development, the Development Manager will manage the activities required to develop utility-scale wind and/or solar energy projects. In this role, you must possess the experience and skills required to lead multi-million-dollar infrastructure projects, preferably related to renewable energy projects. The position’s work scope will encompass and support the entire life cycle of a project from early-stage development to construction, including siting, land management, interconnection and transmission, environmental permitting, engineering, and land use permitting.


    Elevate

    Senior Director, Policy. Location: Remote.

    The Senior Director, Policy leads and develops policy initiatives and advocacy efforts at the federal level, provides leadership to and manages state policy engagements to Elevate’s mission. This position advises the Executive Team and Directors on strategy and risk management related to public policy, manages the policy team at Elevate, and manages the policy functions in coordination with other teams. The Senior Director, Policy also represents Elevate in key working groups, advisory groups, and forums with public and elected officials.

     

    Michigan and National Energy Events

    Register here for “Michigan Home Energy Rebates Contractor Webinar with Q&A​” hosted by the Michigan Energy Efficiency Contractors Association and the Institute for Energy Innovation on May 21 at 1 pm. The webinar will include presentations from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and Walker-Miller Energy Services on the benefits of getting involved with MiHER, the steps to become certified, and an opportunity for audience questions.

    NorthStar Clean Energy is hosting a webinar on May 22 about Public Act 235, its new renewable energy standards and the impact they would have on Michigan’s energy landscape. Register here.

    On May 29 from 4 to 6 pm, Michigan EIBC will be holding a legislative reception at the Seabiscuit Cafe on Mackinac Island. Please join us if you are on the island for the Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference. Registration is not required.

    On June 11, the Institute for Energy Innovation will hold an Energy 101 “Lunch and Learn” event for Michigan legislators, staff, and Michigan EIBC members. Join us to learn about the importance of investing in the advanced energy sector and communities across the state at times of instability. For more information, email Michigan EIBC (mieibc@mieibc.org).

    Michigan EIBC is proud to support the 2025 Forth Roadmap Conference as a Community Partner! Join us Oct. 14-16, 2025 in Detroit at the nation’s leading electric transportation conference. Connect with industry leaders, explore emerging trends, and shape the future of mobility. Roadmap 2025 is where policymakers, utilities, automakers, and industry innovators come together to advance clean transportation solutions. Use MEIBC75 for $75 off full conference tickets. Find out more and register at roadmapforth.org. We hope to see you there!

     

    Opportunities

    The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has announced the first in a series of Requests for Proposals, offering $5 million in initial funding to support the deployment of non-public Level 2 alternating current electric vehicle charging stations at existing multifamily housing units. Individual grant awards are capped at $300,000, with applicants required to provide a minimum 30% match of the total requested funds if the project is outside an environmental justice community. Find the RFP here. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are allocated.

    The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) has announced several new programs with funding available for energy-related projects, including the Agriculture and Rural Business Energy Incentive Program, the Small Manufacturers Retooling Program, the Grid Resiliency Program, the Water Energy Nexus Program and the Sponsorship Program.

    The Coalition for Green Capital (CGC) has an open, rolling solicitation seeking proposals for investment from project developers, sponsors, communities, private equity firms, financial intermediaries, co-lenders or others. Find out more information here.

    The State of Michigan’s 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.

    Michigan EGLE has released an RFP for grants from its Clean Energy Workforce Development Program. The application deadline is July 30.

    Michigan State University’s Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics (AFRE) is seeking a full-time Associate Professor (FT) to serve as the Director of the Institute of Public Utilities (IPU). Find out more about this position here.

    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.

    Michigan EGLE is launching the Renewables Ready Communities Award (RRCA), which makes Michigan municipalities that have, on or after October 1, 2023, begun physically hosting and/or performing local permitting for any portion of an eligible renewable energy project eligible for awards of $5,000 per MW. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are depleted and there is no specific deadline. More information on this opportunity can be found on the RRCA Webpage.