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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:
VPP Bills Move Out of Committee
The Senate Energy and Environment Committee approved a legislative package enabling virtual power plants to operate in Michigan. Senate Bills 731 and 732 would lower electricity bills by allowing residents with clean energy resources like batteries, EVs, and solar panels to send energy to the grid or reduce their usage in exchange for bill credits.
Michigan EIBC Submits Comments on EV Charger Requirements
Michigan EIBC and Clean Fuels Michigan submitted comments last week to the Federal Highway Administration on its proposed rule change to require 100% of EV charger components to be domestically manufactured. Current Buy America standards are set at 55%.
The comments note that no manufacturer can currently meet a 100% domestic content requirement. As a result, this change would “effectively halt federal funding for EV charging deployments, trigger job losses as businesses are forced to pivot or shut down, and cede technological leadership to China and across Europe while the United States falls behind.”
Michigan EIBC 14th Annual Conference
Join Michigan EIBC on May 6 for our 14th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in East Lansing, MI!
Our most popular event of the year, the annual conference brings together leaders in Michigan’s advanced energy industry, utility executives, policymakers, regulators, and others for an opportunity to network, learn about innovations in advanced energy, and get an overview on the latest policy developments. Our conference includes: main-stage panels, several break-out panels with dozens of expert panelists, presentations from energy experts, a pre-and post-reception, and plenty of time for networking.
We’re excited to announce the lineup for Navigating the New EV Group Chat: Ensuring a Cohesive Customer Experience, a panel at the conference. Check out the rest of the agenda here.
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS!
Please reach out to Brianna <brianna@mieibc.org> to sponsor.
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Michigan Energy News
- Michigan EIBC member CIP is looking to invest $1 billion in battery energy storage systems statewide. Michigan EIBC President Laura Sherman weighs in on what’s driving battery investment. (Crain’s Detroit)
- Auto dealers see increased interest in preowned EVs as the gas prices spike. (Freep)
- DTE is in discussions with Google to power a data center in Van Buren Township. (Gongwer)
- Michigan EIBC member LG Energy Solution’s new Lansing-area plant will supply grid-scale batteries for Tesla. (Bridge)
- EGLE announces that the next MI Healthy Climate Challenge will be about industrial decarbonization and invites stakeholders to help shape the challenge. (EGLE)
- A new op-ed says renewable energy is dominating new energy generation in Michigan because it’s the most affordable. (Bridge)
National Energy News
- U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) introduced a bill in Congress that would restrict investor-owned utilities from receiving federal funding if they raise their rates within a year of the last increase. (Freep)
- The Senate approved a large housing package with implications for climate and energy efficiency. (Heatmap)
- The Trump administration sued California over its clean car standards. (NYT)
- The Sierra Club estimates that the Trump administration’s emergency orders keeping six fossil plants online past retirement have cost ratepayers more than $230 million. (Utility Dive)
- House Democrats introduced a clean electricity bill to undo many Trump administration policies and restore IRA tax credits. (Utility Dive)
Events
- April 17: Michigan Model for Siting Renewable Energy: Policy, Implementation, and Impacts Symposium — The symposium hosted by the University of Michigan will have a morning session open to the public and an afternoon session inviting a select group of stakeholders. Complete the interest form to join the afternoon session.
- April 21: 2026 MI Healthy Climate Conference —This year’s conference is focused on “Advancing Climate Action Together.” Register by April 13
- May 6: Michigan EIBC Annual Conference — Our conference includes: main-stage panels, several break-out panels with dozens of expert panelists, presentations from energy experts, a pre-and post-reception, and plenty of time for networking. Register
- *NEW*May 15: Workers Gala — The Workforce Development Institute’s Workers Gala will celebrate workers and labor allies, and raise funds for apprenticeship readiness programs across Michigan. Get tickets
Jobs
If you have a job announcement you would like in the newsletter, please send the position and a link to apply to Kaei Li at kaei@mieibc.org. Please include in the email a specific end date for the job posting.
- Utopian Power Project Manager – Solar (Apply by March 20)
- *NEW* Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Departmental Manager overseeing the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (Apply by March 23)
- Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Departmental Analyst (Apply by March 23)
- *NEW* Advanced Energy United Director – Energy Regulatory Policy
- Bloom Energy Senior Manager, Policy
Opportunities
- MI Healthy Climate Challenge #3: Green Lending (Closes March 22)
- 2026 EGLE NextCycle Michigan Circular Economy Grants (Closes March 31)
- *NEW* U.S. Department of Energy Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) (Concept paper due April 2)
- Sponsors and donations needed to 3x impact of the HARVEST Project — a collaboration with United Agrivoltaics Heartland Alliance, UMich SEAS, and MSU Extension. Masters students work on real-world land use and community challenges faced by solar and farmers. Sponsor a case study while gaining visibility and tailored insights!
- Sustainable States Network RFQ for Build America, Buy America (BABA)-Compliant Charging Equipment (Rolling)
- Michigan EGLE funding (Rolling)
Resources
- The Small Business Association of Michigan published a compilation of available clean energy federal tax credits for businesses. See Clean Energy Tax Credits for Michigan Businesses
- EGLE RETAP and DOE’s Onsite TAP can assist with assessing the suitability of a various clean energy projects for Michigan businesses
- MSU’s ITAC program and EGLE RETAP can assist businesses with energy efficiency audits and recommendations
- The National Governors Association and the National League of Cities EV Workforce Collaborative Resource Hub
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources best practices for wind energy and wildlife in Michigan
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources best practices for solar energy and wildlife in Michigan
- The 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.
- See new deadlines for elective pay following the passage of OBBBA.
- 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.