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December 18, 2025

Newsletter: Work project funding, new op-ed, and more

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  • Newsletter: Work project funding, new op-ed, and more
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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 House Claws Back Work Project Funding

    The Republican-led House Appropriations Committee unilaterally clawed back $645 million in work projects funding last week in a bid to cut “waste, fraud, and abuse.” These work projects include the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund, the Michigan Strategic Fund,  the Renewable Energy and EIED Grant, and more.  The Senate this week voted to reinstate about $634 million of that funding, though it will need to be passed by the House and signed by the Governor before going into effect. Senate Democrats also asked the Attorney General’s office to provide an opinion on the legality of the provision the House used to slash funding.

    “The Michigan House’s decision to cut millions of dollars in funding behind closed doors without a thorough review process or input from the State Senate and Governor’s office is irresponsible,” said Grace Michienzi, Senior Director of Policy for Michigan EIBC, in a statement. “This is money that had already been appropriated in previous budgets for programs that make energy more affordable for all Michiganders, create jobs, support small businesses, and spur innovation. At a time when energy prices are already sky-high, this rushed decision will increase costs and hurt our local communities.”

    Read more

    Read Justin Carpenter in the Lansing State Journal

    In a new op-ed, Michigan EIBC Policy Director Justin Carpenter argues that virtual power plants (VPPs) could lower costs and outage risks for Michiganders. Legislation introduced last week will enable VPPs to be set up in Michigan and require utilities to create programs that compensate home and business owners who allow their clean energy resources to be used to support the power grid. 

    As Carpenter writes, VPP benefits include “reducing peak demand, which can prevent price spikes and lower the risk of outages from overloaded transmission lines. VPPs can also help meet new demand for energy, reducing the need to build more power plants and bringing down overall costs.”

    Read the op-ed

    Michigan EIBC is Hiring!

    The Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC) and Institute for Energy Innovation (IEI) are hiring a full-time business development associate. Join our small, dynamic, team to support the clean energy industry!

    Apply now

    Michigan Energy News

    • A new report finds Michigan’s auto industry remains dominant but faces steep competition from China and southern states investing in EVs. (Detroit News)
    • The Michigan Public Service Commission’s Winter Energy Appraisal expects electricity demand and natural gas use to increase, with propane demand remaining steady. (Gongwer)
    • Virtual power plants, which Michigan EIBC Policy Director Justin Carpenter explained to MLive as an “efficient use” of existing resources, could lower rates and improve reliability if a newly introduced bill enabling them is passed. (MLive)
    • Ford downsizes its EV program and shifts production at BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall, MI to produce residential batteries. (Bridge)
    • Bipartisan lawmakers introduce legislation to repeal data center tax exemptions. (Bridge)
    • Michigan EIBC member CBS Solar authored an op-ed advocates for renewable energy even in the face of current policy challenges. (Manistee News)

    National Energy News

    • The House advances a bipartisan permitting reform bill with a vote scheduled for Thursday. Hardline Republicans are pushing to add a provision allowing the administration to continue blocking offshore wind. (Politico)
    • The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed a bill extending federal weatherization and energy upgrade assistance while raising low-income subsidies. (Utility Dive)
    • Tribal nations are exploring new funding options for clean energy projects with the loss of federal funding. (Utility Dive)

    Events

    OPEN TO EVERYONE
    • Feb. 13: University of Michigan Green Career Fair — If you are hiring full-time positions or internships in 2026, this is a great way to meet and identify early talent pipelines among some of the best and brightest in Michigan! For questions, contact Sydni Miller (sydnim@umich.edu) in the UM-SEAS Career Services office. Register
    FOR MICHIGAN EIBC MEMBERS ONLY
    • Jan. 14-15: Detroit Auto Show Media and Industry Days — Michigan EIBC members will be able to take advantage of several members-only benefits, including the opportunity to register for a display on the show floor during the show’s Media & Industry Days (January 14-15) at a discount of more than 50%. Email sophia@mieibc.org to learn more.

    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.

    Opportunities

    Resources