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October 23, 2024

Newsletter: Transportation Electrification Roadmap Released

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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:

    Michigan EIBC, Clean Fuels Michigan and Partners Release Transportation Electrification Roadmap

    This week Michigan EIBC, Clean Fuels Michigan, the Institute for Energy Innovation, and the Michigan Clean Fuels Institute released Transportation Electrification in Michigan: A Roadmap of State Policy Actions, a comprehensive strategy for achieving Michigan’s electric mobility goals, with policy recommendations based on national and international industry experience and expertise.

    The Roadmap, over a year in the making, guides state government officials, legislators, regulators and utilities about what they can do to work together to grow EV adoption, enable more charging infrastructure, maintain grid reliability and above all realize the state’s goals of 2 million EVs on Michigan roads and an additional 100,000 chargers by 2030.

    On Oct. 16, Michigan EIBC Policy Principal Sophia Schuster published a piece in Bridge Michigan that gives an overview of the report.

    “Not only will the recommendations outlined in the Roadmap ease the transition to EVs for Michiganders across the state, but they will unlock new job opportunities in emerging sectors of the automotive industry, mitigating brain drain while supporting further expansion of Michigan’s advanced energy economy and reaffirming the state as a leader in the clean mobility industry,” Schuster said in a press release.

    Key recommendations include:

    • Supporting utilities to implement more robust transportation electrification programs by allowing longer term planning and strategic investments 
    • Establishing and implementing a Clean Fuel Standard
    • Offering more comprehensive rebate programs to support EV adoption and charging infrastructure deployment to all Michiganders
    • Engaging with potential EV owners, business, and government officials to effectively communicate the value of EVs and EV programs.

    “The Transportation Electrification Roadmap offers actionable policies and programs that will enable increased vehicle electrification across the state, while reducing transportation costs and protecting our land, air, and water,” Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) Director Phil Roos said in the press release.

    “As demand for electric vehicles rises, Michigan’s ability to compete on a national and global scale will depend on forward-thinking policies that drive the deployment of charging infrastructure,” State of Michigan Chief Mobility Officer Justine Johnson also said. “Supporting policies that increase investments in Michigan’s EV charging network are not just about cleaner air—they’re about securing Michigan’s economic future and ensuring access to sustainable mobility options for all Michiganders.”

     

    Clean Jobs Midwest Report Sees Post-COVID Rebound in Employment

    The number of jobs in Michigan in clean energy sectors has now surpassed the pre-COVID number of jobs, according to the 2024 edition of the annual Clean Jobs Midwest report, released this week by E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs) and Evergreen Climate Innovations.

    Clean energy jobs grew 4.3% over the previous year to 127,690 in Michigan, compared to 124,096 in 2019. Clean energy jobs also grew four times faster than the state’s overall economy, the report found.

    Clean Jobs Midwest looks at employment in sectors like renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, clean vehicles, grid and storage and clean fuels.

    Michigan had the second-most clean energy jobs of any Midwestern state, slightly behind Illinois at 128,871 jobs. But per capita, Michigan has more clean energy jobs than Illinois.


    First Round of Renewable Ready Communities Awards Announced

    This week, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced the first round of grants to local units of government, totaling $3.5 million, for the Renewable Ready Communities Awards. The program awards counties and townships for the buildout of large-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects.

    Nine local units of government, spanning four renewable energy projects and many working with Michigan EIBC member companies, were awarded in the first round, including:

    • Freshwater Solar I & II
      • Day Township in Montcalm County, $1.5 million.
    • Groveland Mine Solar
      • Felch Township in Dickinson County, $141,000.
      • Norway Township in Dickinson County, $252,500.
      • Sagola Township in Dickinson County, $106,500.
    • Little Trout Solar
      • Belknap Township in Presque Isle County, $152,500.
      • Presque Isle County, $375,000.
      • Pulawski Township in Presque Isle County, $222,500.
    • Mission Road Solar Park
      • Isabella County, $375,000.
      • Isabella Township in Isabella County, $375,000.

    Grants from the Renewable Ready Communities Awards will continue to remain available until funds are depleted.

    Join Us For Meet & Mingle Event in Detroit on Nov. 6

    Michigan EIBC and the American Association of Blacks in Energy, Michigan Chapter invite you to join us for a joint member networking event at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. This event on Nov. 6 (5 pm – 9 pm) will offer opportunities for networking and collaboration with others in the energy industry. If you are a member of Michigan EIBC or AABE, please email Brianna (brianna@mieibc.org) for the link to register!


    ​

    Michigan Energy News

    • “I actually think what we’re doing is giving control back to farmers, giving control back to people who want to host these projects and taking it potentially away from folks who’ve been stopping them from (exploring) this new farming opportunity,” Michigan EIBC President Laura Sherman said regarding the siting law, as reported by MLive.
    • Michigan Public also talks to Dr. Sherman about the MPSC’s process for implementing the siting law.
    • The MPSC approves a rate increase for Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corp. and a new gas pipeline for DTE to build in Menominee County.
    • Oakland University launches a new master’s degree program in energy engineering.

    National Energy News

    • GM Energy, a subsidiary of Michigan EIBC member General Motors, launches the PowerBank stationary energy storage unit for residential EV customers.
    • Profit margins for U.S. renewable energy developers have been more stable than their global counterparts due to the Inflation Reduction Act, according to a new report.
    • Data center-driven electricity demand growth coupled with supply constraints will raise electricity prices for consumers in coming years, a CoBank report finds.
    • A Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory study looks at how adding just one hour of energy storage can increase the value of wind and solar facilities in transmission-constrained areas

     

    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.

    Advanced Energy United

    Policy Principal – Decision Maker Education & Engagement – Central. Location: Remote.

    Advanced Energy United (United) is currently seeking a Policy Principal to join our Decisionmaker Education and Engagement team (DMEE) in the Central United States (Midwest and Texas).

    The DMEE team assists state regulators, state energy office officials, and candidates for governor to better understand advanced energy products, services, and business models. Through National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and National Association of State Energy (NASEO) engagement, business roundtables, and educational forums, United educates candidates, commissioners, energy office officials, and staff members about the benefits advanced energy technologies and services can provide to customers and helps to solve the challenges in obtaining these benefits. 

    The Policy Principal will be responsible for strategizing, implementing, and managing workstreams dedicated to educating decision makers and engaging other key stakeholders on topics critical to advanced energy.

    Harvest Solar

    Solar Sales Consultant. Location: Illinois.

    Harvest Solar is seeking a Solar Sales Consultant to drive the sales of solar systems in Illinois. The successful candidate will live in the area they service, be willing to meet face to face with customers within that area and educate the customer on the benefit of solar energy. Harvest Solar provides a business-use vehicle to support home visits, cold calling, and other business travel in addition to providing the necessary equipment to establish a home office.

    Solar Sales Consultant. Location: Grand Rapids.

    Harvest Solar is seeking a Solar Sales Consultant to drive solar system sales in the Greater Grand Rapids Area. The Solar Sales Consultant is responsible for the origination of new business by identifying customer prospects, developing solar energy proposals, and executing all transactions required to consummate a sale and that meet the company sales goals. The position requires direct customer interaction to manage the customer through the entire sales process and beyond ensuring superior customer service and referral opportunities. The position will primarily focus on rural residential, agricultural, and small business opportunities.

    Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy

    Engineer 12 – Building Trade Industry Engineer. Location: Lansing.

    The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is currently recruiting for an Engineer 12 position within the Materials Management Division (MMD).  This position is in Lansing and is open to all applicants.

    Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity

    Program and Operations Manager. Location: Lansing.

    The Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity (LEO) is seeking an experienced professional with a background in project planning or program management to serve as a Program and Operations Manager. This is a foundational role in the new Community & Worker Economic Transition Office, supporting our mission of ensuring that communities, workers and employers facing transitions in the auto and utility sectors have the support they need to prepare for, benefit from, and shape Michigan’s future economy. This role will support strategic planning efforts and coordinate key projects across the office’s community, workforce, industry, and research functions. Successful candidates will have experience tracking project progress and keeping complex initiatives on track, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and a passion for public service.

    Engagement Director. Location: Lansing.

    The Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity (LEO) is seeking an experienced professional to serve as the Engagement Director for the Community & Worker Economic Transition Office. This is a senior role on our team, acting as an advisor on all engagement and programmatic activities to the Office Director. The Director of Engagement will play a significant role in developing and implementing office programs and executing engagement strategies that support our mission of ensuring that communities, workers and employers facing transitions in the auto and utility sectors have the support they need to prepare for, benefit from, and shape Michigan’s future economy. This individual will also serve as a key liaison to external stakeholders in business, labor, and local officials, as well as other state departments. Successful candidates will have experience in program design and implementation, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and a passion for public service.

    Walker-Miller Energy Services

    Outreach Manager. Location: Detroit.
    We are seeking an experienced Outreach Manager to lead the outreach and engagement for a large-scale residential energy efficiency program in Michigan. The ideal candidate will have at least 3-5 years of outreach experience and a strong understanding of energy efficiency for residential and multi-family sectors. This role requires significant experience in outreach and engagement, and managing campaigns, with diverse stakeholders.

    Field Operations Manager. Location: Detroit.
    We are seeking an experienced Field Operations Manager to lead the field team and activities for a large-scale residential energy efficiency program in Michigan. The ideal candidate will have at least 3-5 years of experience in managing a field team and a strong understanding of energy efficiency for residential and multi-family sectors. This role requires significant experience in home and building assessments, quality assurance and quality control processes, and supervising a field team.

     

    Michigan and National Energy Events

    Tickets are available for Michigan EIBC and Clean Fuels Michigan’s Public Convening to Discuss Transportation Electrification Policies on Oct. 22 in Detroit.

    The America Is All In tour is coming to Lansing “to highlight the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act to local workers and clean energy deployment. We will stand alongside partners to highlight the success of the bipartisan infrastructure law’s home energy efficiency and weatherization programs and the Inflation Reduction Act’s Solar for All program.” The tour will stop at HopCat for a lunch on Oct. 22 that will include “an informal discussion on workforce development in support of Michigan’s clean energy economy.” To attend please RSVP to Stephanie Udler (stephanie.udler@wwfus.org) by Oct. 18.

    The State of Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility & Electrification (OFME) is hosting the MI Future Mobility Conference in Detroit on Oct. 24. Register to attend here.

     

    Opportunities

    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.

    The Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) has issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) for “up to $400 million to spur innovative, community-focused clean energy solutions in rural and remote areas across the United States.” The related Notice of Funding Opportunity is expected to be released in the fall of 2024. Find out more here.

    Michigan businesses have until Oct. 18 to apply for workforce training funding from cycle 1 of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Going PRO Talent Fund.

    DTE Electric has re-opened its 2024 Renewable Energy All Source RFP. Proposals are due by Oct. 29. Links: 2024 Solar BTA – RFP. 2024 Solar PPA – RFP. 2024 Wind BTA – RFP. 2024 Wind PPA – RFP.

    The Department of Energy has released the Fiscal Year 2024 Vehicle Technologies Office Batteries Funding Opportunity Announcement, which is offering $43 million “in funding for projects that will advance research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) in several areas critical to the future of advanced batteries.” The deadline for full applications is Oct. 30.

    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.

    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.