Michigan EIBC Newsletter: State of the State Address and More

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:

 

In State of the State Address, Gov. Whitmer Looks to Make Michigan ‘Hub of Clean Energy Production’

Governor Whitmer’s State of the State Address affirmed the critical role of advanced energy investments as part of the economic competitiveness strategy she plans to pursue in her second term.

The theme of the speech was around easing the challenges faced by everyday Michiganders. But before she went into her specific proposals, Gov. Whitmer said we should step back and look at the good news for Michigan’s economy, such as new battery manufacturing jobs. To continue this success, Whitmer proposed a new “sustainable funding source” for further economic development efforts. “If we get this done, we can move faster year-round to compete and win cutting-edge manufacturing projects and bring more supply chains home,” she said.

The governor was clear that renewable energy should also be a plank of her economic agenda.

“Let’s increase domestic clean energy production, like wind and solar, so we can produce
more energy in America instead of overseas,” she said. Later in the speech, Whitmer discussed climate change policy and how she plans to build upon the MI Healthy Climate Plan finalized last year. “It is our shared duty to face climate change head-on and protect our land and our water. We must pursue climate action while creating jobs, lowering costs, and becoming a hub of clean energy production. Last year, we unveiled the MI Healthy Climate Plan, and this year, we should make bold investments in climate action to deliver on its targets. Let’s get it done,” she said.

The governor also talked about the need to use federal funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to invest in Michigan infrastructure. In her first term, she established the Michigan Infrastructure Office, and “this year, it will redouble its efforts, helping to build up every kind of infrastructure—roads, high-speed internet, clean energy, and lead-free pipes,” Whitmer said.


 

Michigan PSC Asks For More Input From Stakeholders on Community Solar and Distributed Generation

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) continues to examine how to adapt its regulations to the new, distributed, bidirectional energy world as part of its MI Power Grid initiative. Michigan EIBC has been engaged in many aspects of MI Power Grid, including the New Technologies and Business Models workgroup, where we have been pushing for regulations that would open market opportunities by promoting competition.

In a Jan. 19 order, the MPSC asked for additional comments from participants in this workgroup on legal questions around ownership of community solar projects. The MPSC’s request was prompted by the comments they had received so far, including those from Michigan EIBC and Advanced Energy United (United; formerly known as Advanced Energy Economy).

For example, the MPSC asked commenters to address whether the current legal framework allows or prohibits third-party ownership of a community solar or community solar plus storage project. In our previous comments submitted to the workgroup, Michigan EIBC and United had argued that third-party ownership of community solar projects is legal and should be supported by the Commission. 

Additional comments are due Feb. 17.



Deadline Soon—We’re Hiring A Sustainable Business Associate!

Michigan EIBC and the Institute for Energy Innovation (IEI) are hiring a full-time entry-level associate. Recent or soon-to-be graduates are encouraged to apply by Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 5:00 pm by filling out this form (including submission of a resume and cover letter). 

Join our small, dynamic, team to support the clean energy and sustainable business community!

Anticipated tasks include:

  • Assist in managing, maintaining, and organizing data across multiple software platforms
  • Maintenance and clean-up of membership data in Salesforce
  • Communication and collaboration with members of the advanced energy industry 
  • Assist with member retention and new member outreach
  • Assist in event logistics planning and tracking
  • Assist with preparation, execution, and follow-up for events
  • Assist in management of multiple social media platforms
  • Support regulatory and legislative policy efforts including research, report writing, and participation in key meetings

Desired qualifications include:

  • Experience or education in business, political science, sustainability, clean energy or environment
  • Eagerness to step-in to help with any task to support a small team
  • Ability to communicate professionally with business leaders and partners
  • Ability to balance multiple tasks at once
  • Strong self-motivation and ability to take initiative 
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Attention to detail and organizational capabilities

Benefits: This position offers a competitive salary ($35,000 – $40,000) with generous benefits including vacation (4 weeks paid), health and dental coverage (100% of premiums covered), flexible work hours, parental leave, retirement contribution matching, monthly cell phone and internet stipends, reimbursement for travel expenses, and reimbursement for certain office expenses.

Location: Work from home in a virtual environment. The preferred candidate would be willing/able to attend meetings in the Lansing area approximately once per month.

Please direct any questions to Jamie Scripps (jamie@hunterstonconsulting.com).


 

New Member

Cultivate Power LLC
Cultivate Power is a distributed solar and storage platform. We develop distributed energy resources that advance productive use of the land and integrate with the community and grid. We believe community generation improves grid resiliency, furthers energy independence, and brings economic benefits to local communities. Our top focus is cultivating land into distributed renewable energy projects and ensuring that our projects benefit their local communities.

Renewing Members

Capital Power

Capital Power is a growth-oriented North American power producer, publicly traded (TSX:CPX), and headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta and U.S. headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts. We create dependable, cost-effective and innovative electricity solutions to power a sustainable future for generations to come. As a group of experts and innovators in our field, we work to deliver responsible power for communities across Canada and the U.S. We develop, acquire, own, and operate power generation facilities using a variety of energy sources. Currently, we own over 7,400 megawatts (MW) of power generation capacity including wind, solar and natural gas. We are a growth-oriented North American power producer, publicly traded (TSX:CPX), and headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta. We create dependable, cost-effective and innovative electricity solutions to power a sustainable future for generations to come. As a group of experts and innovators in our field, we work to deliver responsible power for communities across Canada and the U.S. We develop, acquire, own, and operate power generation facilities using a variety of energy sources. Currently, we own over 6,400 megawatts (MW) of power generation capacity at 26 facilities.

Circle Power Renewables
Circle Power Renewables is a Michigan-based renewable energy development company focused on high value generation. Circle Power’s partners have over fifty years of collective experience during which they have been responsible for the development, construction or operation of several gigawatts of power projects and over three billion dollars of assets.

Helios Solar LLC

Helios Solar provides turnkey solutions for Utility, Commercial, and Residential Photovoltaic Installations. Our founding principles of Environment, Economics, and Engineering guide our practices with the goal of designing and constructing the most efficient, value driven solar installations possible.

Michigan Energy Options
Michigan Energy Options (MEO) is a nonprofit that has been in business since 1978. From our offices in East Lansing and Marquette, we pursue daily our mission of guiding communities toward being more sustainable and resilient through the adoption of energy efficiency and renewable energy. We do this by providing our unbiased expertise, research and our results-driven programs, all the while working collaboratively with local governments, businesses and community leaders. Since 2008, MEO’s work across the state has saved more than 200 million kilowatt hours, which translates into more than 426 million pounds of greenhouse gases being eliminated. We’ve reached nearly two million people, 6,000 businesses and 50 municipalities with our projects and programs in all 83 counties in Michigan. With $14 million of funding since 2008, we have been able to leverage more than $77 million of private sector investment into energy efficiency upgrades of buildings. In 2012, our own Lower Peninsula Office in East Lansing earned LEED Platinum–the highest rating possible–by the U.S. Green Building Council. Michigan Energy Options’ precursor was Urban Options, a pioneering energy nonprofit in the state. In 2005 we opened the first energy nonprofit in the Upper Peninsula.

Pivot Energy
Pivot Energy is a national renewable energy provider that develops, finances, builds, owns, and manages solar and energy storage projects. Pivot offers a distributed energy platform that includes a range of services and software that serves the full solar ecosystem. Pivot is a Certified B-Corporation that proudly follows a corporate strategy that provides a positive impact on society as measured by Environmental stewardship, Social leadership, and responsible Governance (ESG) factors.

Ranger Power LLC
Ranger Power is a solar energy development company. Led by an experienced team, the company is committed to working closely with landowners to bring new investment and clean energy to their communities.

Renewable Energy Evolution
RE-Engineer your Energy Future. Our mission is to educate, consult and enable our clients to have a clear understanding about renewable energy, while serving them with the utmost integrity, honesty and total transparency.

Samsung C + T America (formerly Samsung Renewable Energy)

Samsung C&T America develops Utility Scale solar projects in United States and has developed more than 12GW solar projects in US. Samsung C&T America also own and operate 1.3GW solar and wind complex in Ontario, Canada.


Michigan Energy News

  • “More transmission investment is needed to ensure Michigan residents receive their energy reliably and affordably while meeting the decarbonization goals of businesses and the state,” Robert O’Meara, manager of government affairs at Michigan EIBC member ITC Holdings Corp., writes in the Detroit News.
  • Michigan EIBC member Walker-Miller Energy Services is set to launch the 2023 program for the Energy Efficiency Academy, a certification program in partnership with DTE that is meant to address the need for a local energy efficiency workforce in Detroit.
  • Michigan Radio’s Lester Graham talks to Charles Griffith of the Ecology Center about fair ways to raise revenue for roads in light of rising EV use.
  • DTE releases a request for proposals for up to 850 MW of wind and solar projects.
  • Democrats in the state legislature declare their intent to repeal a law that bars the state from developing administrative rules, including environmental regulations, that are more stringent than similar federal rules.

National Energy News

  • Michigan EIBC member Form Energy announces it has agreements with Xcel Energy to build multi-day storage systems at two of the company’s retiring coal plant sites, one in Minnesota and one in Colorado.
  • Michigan EIBC member Schneider Electric announces a project to build a 11.34-MW microgrid at John F. Kennedy International Airport, including the largest rooftop solar array on any U.S. airport.
  • Michigan EIBC member Pivot Energy partners with Google to provide community solar programs to those who use Google Home or Nest devices.
  • The U.S. can electrify transportation while still decreasing lithium demand by up to 90% by 2050, according to a report from the Climate and Community Project.
  • The Nuclear Regulatory Commission certifies the NuScale Power small modular reactor (SMR) design, a decision that allows utilities to reference that SMR design when applying for a license to build and operate a reactor.
  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says it will reject requests from DTE and other companies that they be allowed to continue dumping coal ash in unlined ponds.
  • A U.S. Department of Energy analysis finds that Puerto Rico can expand rooftop solar and battery storage to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050 while strengthening its grid.

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.

Form Energy

Director, State Affairs. Location: Somerville, Mass., Berkeley, Calif., Washington, D.C., or Remote

As Director of State Affairs, you will play a leadership role in building and guiding a team of state policy advocates to transform state and regional electric markets and enable Form Energy’s goals. The team you direct will secure incentives, procurement programs, electricity market designs, and other supportive policies for multi-day storage that will enable Form Energy to deploy multiple gigawatts of our iron-air batteries before 2030. Your team will lead efforts to weave multi-day storage into all aspects of state electric resource planning and decarbonization goals. 

Form Energy

Policy Manager, Eastern Region. Location: Remote

The Policy Manager, Eastern Region will drive policy advocacy efforts across eastern states to advance Form’s goals and transform state and regional electric markets. You will collaborate with policy team leadership alongside outside partners to develop and execute state specific advocacy plans that successfully influence regulatory and legislative outcomes and advance Form’s goals. You will be responsible for securing incentives, procurement programs, and changes to market design in priority states to develop markets for multi-day energy storage. 

Michigan Economic Development Corporation

SVP & Chief Mobility Officer. Location: Lansing or Detroit (Hybrid/Remote Option)

The Senior Vice President & Chief Mobility Officer is responsible for the development and execution of strategies, policies, goals and objectives as they relate to the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification as outlined in Executive Order 2020-1. The position provides strategic oversight for The Office’s goals of increasing mobility investment in Michigan, engaging more mobility startups, expanding Michigan’s smart infrastructure, accelerating electric vehicle adoption in Michigan, enabling Michigan’s mobility workforce, and bolstering Michigan’s mobility manufacturing core. This position serves as a key member of the MEDC and Michigan Department of Labor and Opportunity (LEO) leadership team to accomplish the strategic goals and objectives of the corporation. The deadline for response is Feb. 20, 2023.


 

Michigan and National Energy Events

Registration is now open for the State of Michigan MI Healthy Climate Conference, which will be held at Huntington Place in Detroit on April 11-12.

Save the date April 26, 2023 for the Michigan Energy Innovators Conference at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing.

Save the dates Aug. 6-9, 2023 for the Mid-America Regulatory Conference (MARC) Annual Meeting at the JW Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids.

Opportunities

The Michigan Public Service Commission, EGLE and the Great Plains Institute encourages organizations that are interested in partnering on applications for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership (GRIP) competitive grant program to share their contact information by filling out this form.

The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a Notice of Intent announcing $550 million for community-based clean energy projects through the Energy  Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, Section 40552(b) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021. Applications will open in January 2023.

DTE is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for 850 MW of new wind and solar projects, of which about 300 MW must be ready for commercial operation by March 31, 2025, and about 550 MW must be ready by March 31, 2026. Interested bidders can attend a pre-RFP conference being held on Jan. 31. Bids are due April 21.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority has announced the second round of funding the Michigan Housing Opportunities Promoting Energy-Efficiency (MI-HOPE) program, which will provide up to $10 million dollars statewide based on a formal subrecipient award structure to 501(c) nonprofit agencies and units of government. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 9. Please follow the instructions outlined on the MSHDA website to complete the submission requirements.

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.