FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 15, 2025

Contact: seth@evergreenaction.com

ICYMI: Michigan Business Leaders Urge Congressional Delegation to
“Do the Right Thing” and Protect Clean Energy Investments

“Our congressional delegation has a choice. They can defend these investments—or they can jeopardize Michigan’s momentum just as it’s gaining speed.”

Today, the Michigan Energy Innovation Council (Michigan EIBC) hosted a virtual press conference with four local business leaders who sounded the alarm on House Republicans’ sweeping tax proposal. If enacted, their proposal would effectively repeal most of the federal incentives driving advanced energy manufacturing, clean energy deployment, and electric vehicle growth in Michigan and nationwide. 

Leaders from Walker-Miller Energy Services, Michigan Solar Solutions, Advanced Battery Concepts, and Michigan CAT underscored how the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) energy and manufacturing tax credits are already delivering for Michigan—creating jobs, driving down energy costs, and sparking new investment across the state. Just this week, Michigan EIBC released a report highlighting the automotive industry’s central role in Michigan’s economy and emphasizing the need for continued federal and state support to keep U.S. automakers competitive in the global market against Chinese manufacturers.

The leaders called on Michigan’s congressional delegation to stand up for the state’s economic future. They pointed to the expanded manufacturing, workforce gains, and energy growth already underway as clear evidence that federal incentives are working exactly as intended. Repealing them would do real harm—jeopardizing thousands of jobs and millions in investments, just as momentum is building. Michigan’s business leaders made one thing clear: They are united in their support for keeping these incentives in place. As Congress moves forward with this bill, Michigan’s delegation faces a choice: Protect the state’s progress or turn their backs on one of its biggest economic opportunities. 

You can watch a recording of the full event here or read excerpts from participants below:

“It’s critical that Michigan’s congressional delegation—on both sides of the aisle—stand up and defend the energy and manufacturing tax credits that are already delivering for our state. These investments are creating jobs, building new manufacturing capacity, and helping businesses compete and grow,” said Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council President Dr. Laura Sherman. “Defending these credits isn’t about politics—it’s about protecting Michigan’s economic future. Every Michigander deserves the opportunity to thrive in an affordable, reliable, and prosperous economy. And that means we need to keep smart, proven federal investments in place.”

“Advanced Battery Concepts is the classic American entrepreneurial story. It started in my garage with my 401(k) and my lovely wife supporting me the whole way. And through time, we took a technology and an idea and built a company,” said Advanced Battery Concepts CEO & Founder Dr. Edward Shaffer. “These manufacturing credits—and I’m speaking to our congressional staff to be very clear—help us level the playing field with countries like China so we can grow manufacturing and good-paying jobs here in Michigan. We fully support our Michigan Congressional delegation of both parties to do the right thing and continue the energy tax credits so companies like Advanced Battery Concepts can grow meaningful solutions and jobs and ensure American energy independence.”

“The clean energy sector has been a powerful engine for job creation in Michigan. But with fewer incentives, we will see a slowdown in hiring, shrinking training programs, and growing uncertainty for businesses that have invested in clean energy manufacturing,” said Walker-Miller Energy Services Vice President of Electrification and Mobility Komal Doshi. “We urge policymakers to consider the real-world impacts of these decisions. Not just on businesses like ours, but on the families and communities who rely on affordable, clean energy solutions. The broader economic implications are clear: higher costs for both businesses and residents, potential disruptions in clean tech supply chains, and a risk to Michigan’s competitiveness in the national clean energy market.”

“As a conservative person myself, I can tell you for sure that the tax credits we’ve received and our customers have received are not boondoggles. These are critical to our communities, not just some rich person’s dream. These are real projects—real jobs in Michigan,” said Michigan CAT Advanced Energy Systems Manager Kevin O’Connell. “They’re real and have a real impact on these projects and how fast they go to market.”

“Rolling back these federal incentives would mean fewer customers for us and for other businesses in the clean energy space. People would lose out on savings. They’d miss the opportunity to protect themselves with battery backup during outages. And many projects—both residential and commercial—would likely be delayed or canceled. That means slower growth, reduced hiring, and a loss of confidence in our state’s clean energy future,” said Michigan Solar Solutions Vice President of Operations John Jevahirian. “Our congressional delegation has a choice. They can defend these investments—or they can jeopardize Michigan’s momentum just as it’s gaining speed.”

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