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Newsletter (445)

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 Laura Sherman in Utility Dive on a Clean Fuel Standard

In a new article in Utility Dive, Michigan EIBC President Laura Sherman writes about how the passage of a state-level clean fuel standard as a policy idea is now more important than ever given the ongoing uncertainty about the future of federal support for EVs.

“Now is the time for states to consider a policy that has a proven record of both reducing transportation sector emissions while also generating funds for more EV investments: a clean fuel standard,” Dr. Sherman writes. “While not a silver bullet that removes the need for federal government support, a clean fuel standard can make states more independent and able to finance more charging stations, EV rebates and other investments into transportation electrification.”

Michigan lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 275, a bill that would create a clean fuel standard requiring a 35% reduction in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 2035. “The Michigan Clean Fuel Standard Coalition has projected that the program that would be created by this bill would generate $6.6 billion in credit revenues over 13 years just within the electricity producer and EV charging provider sectors,” Dr. Sherman writes.

MISO Board Approves Tranche 2.1

On December 12, 2024, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) Board of Directors unanimously approved the Long Range Transmission Planning (LRTP) Tranche 2.1 portfolio. Encompassing 24 projects across MISO’s Midwest subregion, this $21.8 billion portfolio has a cost-to-benefit ratio of 1.8 to 3.5 with benefits potentially exceeding $72 billion over 20 years. Tranche 2.1 builds upon the already-approved Tranche 1 portfolio of 18 projects, two of which are currently under consideration for certifications of public convenience and necessity from the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC).

This approval comes after many have supported MISO’s robust LRTP process and urged for timely approval of subsequent Tranches. Governors of Midwestern states Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota sent a letter in support of Tranche 2.1, citing opportunities to enable expanded economic opportunity, improve reliability, and lower energy costs. Michigan EIBC signed on to a similarly supportive letter, alongside Advanced Energy United, American Clean Power Association, Solar Energy Industries Association, and Clean Grid Alliance.

These projects are a critical step toward enabling the future growth of renewable generation, and will help accommodate the delivery of nearly 116 GW of new generation capacity, primarily from solar, wind, and battery storage.

Michigan Energy News

The Detroit News reports on efforts by the state of Michigan to send checks to rural communities that accept renewable energy and energy storage projects.
A political dispute over a proposal to build solar energy at a Department of Natural Resources site near Gaylord “highlights the partisan divide over climate change and Michigan’s response to it,” Bridge Michigan reports.
The Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2) is planning three projects in Michigan.
“It was very unfortunate to hear that DTE has lobbied against Senate bills that would allow community solar to be legal,” Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield says.
Hemlock Semiconductor was awarded $325M in direct federal funding for a new manufacturing facility in Saginaw County.

National Energy News

E&E News explores what growth of transmission capacity could be under President Trump.
A Bank of America research note looks at which utilities in particular are poised to profit from data center growth.
Ohio lawmakers approve a bill designating nuclear energy as “green energy.”
New York state is taking a new look at next-generation nuclear reactor technologies.

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 Associate – Central. Location: Austin, Tex.

Advanced Energy United is currently seeking a candidate with strong interpersonal and communication skills and excellent analytical and writing skills with interest and/or experience in policy advocacy for an entry-level Associate position. The Associate will work with other Advanced Energy United team members to accelerate the U.S.’s transition to 100% clean energy and clean transportation. This work will involve supporting a variety of priority initiatives across the organization but with focus on Central Region states (TX, IL, IN, MI and WI). This includes educating decision-makers about advanced energy, helping other advocates understand policy levers, and facilitating advanced energy member company engagement with decision-makers. The Associate will also help Advanced Energy United track legislative and regulatory policy developments around the country using our software platform Insight Engine, providing up-to-date policy intelligence to subscribers.

Policy Principal – Central. Location: Remote.

United seeks an enthusiastic, smart, innovative Principal with a background in issue advocacy and/or coalition building at the state level to join our policy and campaign team. The principal will work with United team members to develop and implement multi-year strategies and initiatives designed to achieve policy successes at the state level that will accelerate the clean energy transition while expanding markets for the advanced energy industry. The Principal will craft and execute creative strategies to: enact pro-advanced energy policies in key states in our Central Region, primarily Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan with secondary focus on Wisconsin and Texas; educate and build support for advanced energy technologies and policies among key decision-makers within states; engage in regulatory proceedings in states; support and advocate for the implementation of the state and federal laws by state regulatory and executive agencies; defend existing advanced energy policies; and educate and activate policymakers and executive agency staff on regional solutions needed to achieve 100% clean energy. The principal will also lead, execute and/or support United’s regulatory engagements in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Candidates will need to have the ability to travel to meet with United members, coalition allies and stakeholders, and public officials.

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 Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Engineer 9-P11 – MI Solar for All Program Engineer. Location: Lansing.

This limited term position functions as the MI Solar for All (MISFA) program engineer in the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Executive Office, Office of Climate and Energy (OCE). The MISFA program has been awarded $156 million to support implementation of residential and community solar serving low-income and disadvantaged households to reduce household energy burden and greenhouse gas emissions. The program also includes energy storage deployment; enabling building upgrades; workforce development; community/technical assistance; vendor/consultant management; stakeholder engagement; site visits; and monitoring, performance, and compliance activities.

This position will help conduct research and analyses supporting successful deployment of the MISFA program. Topics may include electric reliability, energy resiliency, and solar and storage equipment types and operation. In addition, it will help develop, evaluate, and manage MISFA grant programs. The role will include collaborating with relevant entities, such as residential households, state agencies, local governments, Tribal nations, community-based organizations, and utilities to ensure developed programs meet Michigan community needs as well as MISFA programmatic needs.

Michigan and National Energy Events

Join the Detroit 2030 District for its 2025 January Kickoff Party & Fundraiser on Jan. 30. Tickets are available for sale here.

The University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) is holding a Green Career Fair on Jan. 31. 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 Solar Energy Industries Association invites you to join a business-centered letter to Congress to support existing energy tax credits and to oppose efforts to weaken or repeal them. The deadline for this letter has been extended to Jan. 22. Read the letter here and sign on to it here.

The Electrification Coalition is calling on American businesses, trade associations, and workforce development organizations to urge the federal government to support the domestic EV manufacturing industry by maintaining clean vehicle tax policies and grants to continue to incentivize private investment. Read the letter here and fill out the form to add your organization as a signatory.

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 is an upcoming deadline on March 31. Find out more here.

Proposals are due Feb. 7 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 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.

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.

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