<< All News
December 16, 2024

Newsletter: Transmission Line Testimony, Leadership Council and More

Recent Posts

  • Newsletter: Data Center Tariff Case, More Conference Photos and More
  • Newsletter: Fleet Electrification Convening, EGLE Conference and More
  • Newsletter: Conference Recap and More
  • Newsletter: Tax Credit Letter and More
  • Newsletter: Building Code Hearing and More

    • Blog Categories

  • Uncategorized (598)

    • 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:

    Proposed Transmission Lines Have Clear Public Benefits, Testimony Argues

    On Dec. 12, the board of directors of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) approved Tranche 2.1 of MISO’s Long-Range Transmission Planning process, a set of transmission lines across the Midwest that MISO, governors of Midwestern states and experts say is needed to maintain reliability and integrate renewable energy. Tranche 2.1 builds upon the already-approved Tranche 1 portfolio of new transmission lines. Michigan Electric Transmission Co., a subsidiary of Michigan EIBC member ITC Holdings Corp., is working on developing the portion of Tranche 1 planned in Michigan, consisting of two lines. 

    Those projects are currently under consideration for certificates of public convenience and necessity from the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). Michigan EIBC Sustainable Business Associate Natalie Lyijynen recently filed testimony on behalf of Michigan EIBC, the Institute for Energy Innovation and Clean Grid Alliance in the MPSC cases concerning the transmission lines. Her testimony discusses how the benefits to the public from the projects are clear.

    The four key benefits of the proposed lines are, according to Lyijynen’s testimony, “1) the reliability benefits, including reduced congestion and grid 6 flexibility; 2) improved access to lower cost energy resources; 3) the encouragement of 7 innovation and cost savings through increased competition; and 4) alignment with recent 8 state decarbonization goals.”

    Also filing testimony with Lyijynen was Grid Strategies LLC Vice President Michael Goggin. His testimony provided analysis that the transmission projects will likely reduce electric rates in Michigan.

    Michigan EIBC Announces 2025 Leadership Council

    With the new year just around the corner we would like to present to you our 2025 Leadership Council member participants! The members listed below have successfully met all the qualifications set-forth in 2024 to participate in the 2025 leadership council, representing our largest council to date. Congratulations to the following Michigan EIBC members:

    • Advanced Energy United
    • Apex Clean Energy LLC
    • Atwell LLC
    • Barton Malow Company
    • Convergent Energy + Power
    • EDP Renewables
    • FLO EV Charging
    • Harvest Solar
    • Hemlock Semiconductor
    • Invenergy LLC
    • ITC Holdings Corp.
    • Jupiter Power LLC
    • Key Capture Energy
    • Lakeshore Die Cast
    • National Grid Renewables
    • NextEra Energy Resources LLC
    • Orsted
    • Ranger Power
    • RWE Clean Energy
    • Schneider Electric
    • SEEL, LLC
    • Solar Energy Industries Association
    • Walker-Miller Energy Services
    • Warner Norcross + Judd

    For those interested in participating in future councils, please reach out to Brianna Gerard.

     

    Renewing Members

    Orion Renewable Energy Group, LLC

    Orion is a pioneer in the development, finance, construction, and operation of renewable energy projects throughout the United States.  The principals of Orion have developed over 5,000 MW of operating renewable power projects through power purchase agreements, development asset sales, and build-transfer arrangements.

    RES (Renewable Energy Systems) 

    RES is the world’s largest independent renewable energy company. At the forefront of the industry for over 40 years, RES has delivered more than 23GW of renewable energy projects across the globe and supports an operational asset portfolio exceeding 10GW worldwide for a large client base. RES employs more than 2,500 people and is active in 11 countries working across onshore and offshore wind, solar, energy storage and transmission and distribution.


    ​

    Michigan Energy News

    • The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) wins $4.4 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program to deploy 15 all-electric recycling trucks and 15 charging stations across Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties.
    • EGLE announces the second round of the Renewables Ready Communities Awards.
    • The city of Kalamazoo is buying solar power from Consumers Energy to supplement rooftop solar to achieve net-zero buildings.
    • Michigan “regulators must do all they can to ensure critical transmission projects are built in a timely manner to support continued growth,” Michigan Conservative Energy Forum Executive Director Ed Rivet writes.
    • Bridge Michigan interviews City of Ann Arbor Sustainability and Innovations Director Missy Stults about the city’s plans for a sustainable energy utility.
    • The Michigan Department of Transportation announces that the first fast charging station under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program is now live in Lansing.

    National Energy News

    • The median income for a household that adopts rooftop solar keeps dropping, according to a recent National Renewable Energy Laboratory report.
    • The National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) launches a dashboard tracking sites funded by the NEVI program.
    • Meta signs agreements to buy 760 MW of solar power from Michigan EIBC member Invenergy.
    • Google announces a strategic partnership to colocate renewable energy and energy storage with data centers.
    • The Biden administration increases tariffs on some solar panel components imported from China.

     

    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.

    Elevate

    Decarbonization Project Manager, Community Programs (MI). Location: Michigan.

    Elevate’s Decarbonization Project Manager on the Community Programs – Michigan Team is integral in advancing Elevate’s goal of decarbonizing affordable housing and non-profit buildings. The Decarbonization Project Manager, Community Programs also contributes to various projects aimed at improving building performance and promoting clean energy solutions. This position leads and executes assignments in specialized technical domains, working collaboratively with team members to achieve our mission and commitment exceptional project delivery while demonstrating Elevate’s organizational values, commitment to equity, and principles of partnership 

    Senior Project Consultant, Community Consulting. Location: Chicago.

    The Senior Project Consultant, Community Consulting works with communities to guide the implementation of projects and programs, maintains client relationships, and assists with program development for initiatives related to affordable housing and sustainable communities with an emphasis on energy and water efficiency, renewable energy, decarbonization, and community resilience. Projects focus on providing technical assistance to communities to help them achieve their sustainability goals by identifying funding opportunities, connecting them to technical resources, and providing expertise in policy and program design centered on equity, economic inclusion, and community and stakeholder engagement. This position requires experience with community engagement best practices and familiarity with building retrofit programs, building science practices, and their connection with climate equity. The Senior Project Consultant, Community Consulting collaborates with others in the National Strategic Engagement team and with core service departments of Elevate, as well as national partner organizations.

     

    Michigan and National Energy Events

    The University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) is holding a Green Career Fair on Jan. 31, 2025. Employers and students can register here.

    The 13th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference will be held at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing on April 2. Tickets will be available soon.

    The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s (EGLE) MI Healthy Climate Conference is taking place April 22-23 at the Huntington Place in Detroit. Find out more here.

     

    Opportunities

    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.

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program is accepting applications from agricultural producers and rural small businesses for grants and guaranteed loans There are upcoming deadlines on Dec. 31, 2024, and March 31, 2025. Find out more here.

    Michigan Saves is seeking financial experts to support the implementation of funding through the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). This RFP invites organizations or individuals with expertise in financial advising, underwriting, and related services to help advance equitable clean energy solutions across Michigan. Proposals are due by Jan. 3, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST.

    Proposals are due Feb. 7, 2025 for Round 2 of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.

    Michigan EGLE is offering at least $320,000 in funding MI Solar Communities-MI Solar Access Program. Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2025, or when funding is expended, whichever comes first. Find the request for proposals for MI Solar Access here.

    Michigan EGLE has released an RFP for grants from its Clean Energy Workforce Development Program. The application deadline is July 30, 2025.

    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.

    RMI is looking for a regulatory expert to join its electricity team and help implement regulatory policies to ensure the energy transition is affordable for all. 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.