<< All News
May 31, 2022

Michigan EIBC Newsletter: New Guide to Federal Funding Opportunities and More

Recent Posts

  • Newsletter: Demand Response Aggregator Licensing and More
  • Newsletter: Community Solar, Investigation into Anti-Siting Initiative and More
  • Newsletter: Building Codes, Clean Economy Tracker and More
  • Newsletter: West Michigan Battery Supply Chain Report and More on the Siting Law
  • Newsletter: DTE Distribution Grid Plan, Behind-The-Meter Storage Bills and More

    • Blog Categories

  • Uncategorized (550)

    • 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 Releases Guide to Federal Investment Opportunities for Advanced Energy in Michigan

    The Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA), signed into law by President Biden, is an unprecedented opportunity for Michigan to receive federal funds to transform its advanced energy infrastructure. To help policymakers take full advantage of the IIJA and its variety of grants and other funding opportunities, this week Michigan EIBC released Advanced Energy Infrastructure: A Roadmap for Implementation in Michigan, a toolkit and guide to the various federal funding streams, how to access them and complementary policies that the state should pursue along with this investment.

    “The IIJA places historical federal investment in our nation’s infrastructure and has the potential to result in multigenerational benefits for Michigan’s economy, climate, built infrastructure, and communities,” the guide says. “Unlike traditional spending bills that have focused on short term results, IIJA is a long term investment (5 to 10 years of funding), with many programs designed to support long term development of transformative projects across the country. Utilizing these investments effectively requires a strategic response from all relevant implementing agencies in Michigan, as well as from the private sector.”

    The guide recommends complementary state policies in advanced energy sectors including EV charging infrastructure, energy efficiency, manufacturing and grid infrastructure. It also outlines key principles for implementation including the importance of stakeholder engagement, the need to ensure coordination with new load and grid capacity and the value in focusing on equity. 

    The guide also provides insights into a number of policy areas Michigan EIBC has been emphasizing recently, including the need for a value of storage study, as explained in our Energy Storage Roadmap report, and the problems that are holding back Michigan’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). The federal funds include $5 billion to demonstrate innovative approaches to transmission, storage, and distribution infrastructure that enhance resilience, or new approaches to regional grid resilience, and the guide recommends that the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) apply for that funding to conduct the value of storage study. Separately, Michigan is set to receive over $183 million for WAP, which is the third-largest allocation of any state. Without innovative changes to increase the number of contractors in the program, the state may not be able to utilize all of this funding. To help address this issue, Michigan EIBC has proposed a $5 million state pilot program to help increase the per-project funding to incentive contractors to complete the training for the WAP and successfully complete projects under this program.

     


     

    Michigan EIBC and Clean Fuels Michigan Hold EV Convening in Lansing

    As Michigan EIBC’s new Advanced Energy Infrastructure Roadmap details, there are rich opportunities for the EV space from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. At Michigan EIBC and Clean Fuels Michigan’s electric vehicle (EV) Convening on May 23, our 13th EV Convening since 2018, panelists discussed how to leverage these funds and how to ensure they are complementary  with the future of utility EV programs. 

    In addition to the panel speakers, the Convening also broke attendees into small groups to share ideas on topics like how to design rates for EV programs that reduce costs and how to “future proof” direct-current fast-charging EV infrastructure.

    After introductions by Christian Koch of Michigan EIBC and Jane McCurry of Clean Fuels Michigan, Judd Herzer of the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification talked about the state’s plans to use federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funds. The state has already designated several highway routes around Michigan as “Alternative Fuel Corridors,” and one of the first steps for NEVI funds will be to use them to build an EV charger at every 50th mile along these corridors.

    The first panel, moderated by Clean Fuels Michigan Executive Director Jane McCurry, featured panelists Kelsey Peterson of DTE and Jeff Myrom of Consumers Energy talking about the future of utility EV programs.

    The second panel, moderated by Michigan EIBC President Laura Sherman, focused on how to leverage federal funding opportunities and featured Cory Bullis of Michigan EIBC member FLO, Zach Kolodin of the Michigan Infrastructure Office, Robert Jackson of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and Commissioner Tremaine Phillips of the Michigan Public Service Commission.

    Gov. Whitmer Recognizes EV Infrastructure Buildout in Visit to Holland State Park

    This week Gov. Whitmer celebrated the progress made adding EV charging stations to Michigan’s state parks, including chargers at Holland State Park that receive energy from solar panels built by Michigan EIBC member Utopian Power.

    The governor held a press conference at Holland State Park, where Rivian, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Adopt a Charger have just installed the first of several charging sites that will be added at various state parks and a state fish hatchery over the next few years. “These charging stations along the Lake Michigan EV Circuit build on our rich Pure Michigan tradition of exploration and bringing together communities and businesses to ensure that we honor our past as the place that put the world on wheels and continue to invest in our workforce as we lead the transition to electric vehicles. Together, we will keep growing our economy, creating good-paying jobs, and lowering costs for drivers and working families,” Gov. Whitmer said in a statement.

    The Lake Michigan EV Circuit is a plan for EV charging infrastructure along key tourism routes around the lake. 

    Utopian Power has installed solar panels on a building adjacent to the new Holland State Park chargers, the statement noted.

    “By identifying creative partnerships and opportunities, we are making significant progress in creating a safer, more equitable and environmentally conscious transportation future for all Michiganders,” Office of Future Mobility and Electrification Chief Mobility Officer Trevor Pawl said in the statement.

    New Member

     

    Lakeshore Die Cast
    Lakeshore Die Cast is a manufacturer of aluminum and zinc die castings founded in 1959 in Michigan. We make die castings for all industries but primarily serve non-automotive customers. More recently we are involved in energy generation through on-site solar and would like to share our experience with other medium sized manufactures to speed adoption of renewables for economic advantage.

    Renewing Member

    Tetra Tech

    Tetra Tech is a leading provider of environmental consulting, engineering, and technical services worldwide. We are a diverse company, including individuals with expertise in science, research, engineering, construction, and information technology. Our strength is in collectively providing integrated services, delivering the best solutions to meet our clients’ needs.

     

    Michigan Energy News

    • Michigan EIBC member Metro Consulting Associates announces a strategic partnership with Volatus Infrastructure to create the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) infrastructure ecosystem.
    • The Palisades nuclear plant has shut down ahead of the May 31 deadline due to technical problems and despite efforts to keep the plant open.
    • The Michigan Strategic Fund uses $1.5 million in federal funds to build up the state’s semiconductor workforce.
    • Consumers Energy says it will invest $100 million in the grid in 2022 to reduce the number and length of power outages.
    • The nonprofit group Ann Arbor for Public Power holds a rally to draw attention to its quest to municipalize power in Ann Arbor.
    • Ypsilanti leaders approve a program offering residents and businesses at least a $2,000 rebate for installing solar panels.

    National Energy News

    • Stellantis and Samsung SDI announce plans for a $2.5 billion EV battery plant in Kokomo, Ind.
    • A Federal Trade Commission petition has been filed against many large U.S. electric utilities, alleging unfair competitive practices, including against consumers who want to install solar panels.
    • Of the $6.7 billion Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed to improve grid reliability in his state, about $5.2 billion could mostly go toward natural gas and diesel-fired power plants that would serve as a last resort.
    • Dozens of groups organized by Ceres call for federal funds to be steered toward expanding energy efficiency and demand response.
    • The Midcontinent Independent System Operator proposes to FERC a change to how it plans transmission lines that could allow a $10.4 billion Long Range Transmission Plan.
    • Ohio cities are using new map tools to strategize where federal funds can be invested to best address environmental justice concerns.

    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.

    AES

    Position: Manager, Government Relations (MISO). Salt Lake City.

    The Manager of Government Affairs will lead AESCE’s public policy efforts related to wind, solar, energy storage, green hydrogen, as well as other technologies as determined for key states in the central and western part of the U.S.. They will assist in the establishment of AESCE strategies, that align with laws, regulations, and policies where AESCE works. The Manager will also provide ongoing analysis and information to the development, strategic development, operations and commercial team for the identification of new market opportunities, response to new opportunities, and optimization of project assets.  Additionally, the Manager will identify potential policy changes or modifications that may benefit the business and collaborate with internal teams to develop a coordinated strategy.  A key function will be maintaining strong relationships with government officials, associated authorities, state agencies, committees, and other industry and partner organizations. This role will have a strong understanding of AESCE’s assets and products and be a capable communicator and team player.

    AES

    Position: Manager, Stakeholder Relations (MISO & ERCOT). Indianapolis or Houston.

    AES is actively developing a diverse renewable energy portfolio across the Midwest and Texas, and our development efforts require strong stakeholder relationships for our business to be successful. The Manager of Stakeholder Relations, MISO & ERCOT, will partner with cross-functional teams to execute project-specific and regional stakeholder relations strategies supporting business and project success.

    Michigan and National Energy Events

    Join the Institute for Energy Innovation and Michigan EIBC member Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University on June 21 for the Commercial & Industrial Solar Energy Convening at the Accelerator’s office in Southfield. The event’s discussion will focus on the findings of a Michigan Commercial & Industrial Renewable Energy Roadmap developed for Michigan EGLE. Register here.

    On July 12-14, PlugVolt will be hosting its next Battery Seminar in Plymouth, MI (USA) featuring an entire day of in-depth technical tutorials on solid-state batteries, next-gen anodes and cathodes, battery diagnostics, failures, battery management systems, etc. by world renowned professors from Top 50 US Universities. Attendees will also get an exclusive opportunity to tour INTERTEK Battery Testing Center of Excellence in Plymouth, MI (USA) firsthand, ask questions to resident experts, and enjoy some light appetizers and beverages while networking with industry peers. Register here.

    Opportunities

    The Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing FOA has a deadline of May 27 for letters of intent and July 1 for full applications.

    Concept papers in response to the DOE’s Electric Drive Vehicle Battery Recycling & Second-Life Applications FOA are due May 31 and full applications are due July 19.

    The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations has released a Request for Information to solicit feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders on issues related to Section 41001 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which appropriated $505 million to advance energy storage systems toward widespread commercial deployment by lowering the costs and increasing the duration of energy storage resources. Replies to this RFI are due by June 16. 

    Michigan EIBC member Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University is accepting applications for its C3 Accelerator. Apply here by June 30. C3 is a growth stage Accelerator with up to $1.6M in funding in the form of grants, investments, and services to support the product development and scaling of Cleantech, Climatech, and Circular Economy technologies.

    The Community Collaboration on Climate Change (C4) is seeking a full-time contract position to provide coordination of C4 leadership, organizational representatives, Grand Rapids residents, and the program deliverables.

    State of Michigan DNR is going big in solar with projects in the ground, others in development and additional ones being planned. DNR has released a Request for Proposal for Prequalification Program for Renewable Energy PPAs: www.michigan.gov/sigmavss. Use “Guest Access” to get the RFP. A previous round of pre-qualifications netted solar companies that then were able to bid on a portfolio of DNR solar projects in Southwest Michigan. Another portfolio in the Northern Region is in the works for later this year. Only companies who pre-qualify can bid on future DNR solar projects. Please direct all correspondence to the Solicitation Manager, Laura Gyorkos at gyorkosL@michigan.gov.

    The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s PlanetM Testing Grant gives mobility companies the opportunity to access testing facilities around the state, including Mcity at the University of Michigan. Apply here.

    Aaron Kurz, a former Michigan EIBC intern and University of Michigan alum, is working to build a state-level Science Policy Fellowship in Michigan, the Michigan Initiative for Science Policy (MISP). This program will place five recent STEM PhD recipients throughout the Michigan state government to provide a source of non-partisan, evidence-based information to decision makers. MISP will join the 10 other state programs throughout the country, including Idaho, Missouri, and New Jersey. Additional information about this initiative may be found at miscipol.org. If you are interested in providing written support for MISP, please contact Aaron at aaron.kurz@miscipol.org.