This newsletter was originally published on April 13, 2015.

Last Chance to Register for Michigan EIBC Annual Member Meeting
Don’t miss out – Michigan EIBC’s 3rd Annual Member Meeting is this Monday, April 20 in Lansing.

Join the excitement – Reserve your seat today!

The 3rd Annual Member Meeting brings together industry leaders from across the state for a one-day event focused on networking, business development, and the opportunities to hear from the companies and policymakers that are shaping Michigan’s energy future.

The event features opening remarks from U.S. Congressman Mike Bishop, a lunch keynote from Invenergy CEO Michael Polsky, and a fireside chat with Michigan legislative leader, including Senator Mike Nofs and Representative Bill LaVoy, and six breakout panels. The panels are: 

• Corporate Purchases of Renewable Energy
• Strengthening Michigan Manufacturing by Reducing Energy Waste
• Market Innovations in Energy Finance
• Growing Solar Power in Michigan
• Addressing Michigan’s Capacity Issues
• What’s Next for the U.P. Power System

Michigan EIBC members get a $50 discount on event registration, and registration ends today at 5pm.

Reserve your seat today!

 
Michigan Energy News

The House Energy Policy Committee on Monday spent 13 hours on the provisions of Rep. Nesbitt’s legislation that would eliminate retail open access in Michigan, with a number of business groups and school districts opposing the shift. At the same time, the group Energy Choice Now released a poll with 74% of respondents opposing efforts . The Detroit News and Americans for Prosperity weighed in against the measure today, and one of Chairman Nesbitt’s hometown radio stations also reported on what it described as “Nesbitt’s unpopular energy bill.”

Huron County officials are nearing completion of amendments affecting wind development in the county, including lifting the recent moratorium on future wind development.

Senator Tom Casperson has introduced legislation that would connect the Upper Peninsula and the Lower Peninsula electric grids. This reflects Governor Snyder’s earlier call for connecting Michigan’s peninsulas.

A group of University of Michigan students working with the Village of Northport in Leelanau County presented their findings on the feasibility of meeting 100% of Northport’s energy needs with renewable energy by 2025. According to the surveys, 71% of local residents are very or somewhat supportive of the 100% goal.

The Adams Township Board south of Houghton has declined to amend its zoning ordinance that restricts wind development, likely halting or slowing the progress of a planned six-ten turbine project.

Consumers Energy this week announced it had met its commitment of spending $1 billion with Michigan businesses over the past five years.

Some critics of Consumers Energy’s proposed community solar program are claiming that the utility’s plans would result in a ‘monopolization’ of community solar projects in the state.

The Escanaba City Council has terminated its contract with Pro Energy to operate the Escanaba Power Plant. The plant has been shut down since February 2, and the city will now purchase its power directly from the grid.

 
Upcoming Michigan Energy Events 
Michigan EIBC’s Annual Member Meeting will take place on Monday, April 20, 2015 at the Lansing Radisson Hotel at the Capitol. Invenergy CEO Michael Polsky will provide a keynote address, with opening remarks from Congressman Mike Bishop. The meeting will also feature a discussion with Michigan legislative leaders, and breakout sessions on strengthening Michigan manufacturing through energy efficiency, addressing Michigan’s capacity challenges, what’s next for the UP power system, market innovations in energy finance, growing solar power in Michigan, and corporate purchases of renewable energy. Michigan EIBC members get a $50 discount on event registration, and registration is now open for the Annual Member Meeting. Sponsorship opportunities are also available; email Nicole Forward, Michigan EIBC Director of Partnerships and Corporate Relations, for more information.
 
The 2015 CHP Conference will take place on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing. The event, being held for the first time, is focused on Michigan’s combined-heat-and-power/ cogeneration sector, and is being co-hosted by Michigan EIBC and Oakland University. Registration is now open for the CHP Conference, and Michigan EIBC members get a 50% discount. Sponsorship opportunities are also available; email Nicole Forward, Michigan EIBC Director of Partnerships and Corporate Relations, for more information.
 
The Engineering Society of Detroit and DTE are hosting the 2015 Energy Conference and Exhibition on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at the Suburban Collection Showcase in Novi. 
 
The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association’s annual Michigan Energy Fair will be held this year on June 26-27, 2015 at the Ingham County Fairgrounds in Mason.
 
Upcoming National Energy Events
The CERES Conference 2015 will be held May 13-14 in San Francisco.

The American Wind Energy Association’s (AWEA) annual WINDPOWER 2015 Conference and Exposition is being held May 18-21, 2015 in Orlando, FL.

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) annual Energy Efficiency Finance Forum will take place May 30-June 2, 2015 in San Francisco.

The 12th Annual Renewable Energy Finance Forum – Wall Street is taking place June 24-25 in New York.

Intersolar North America, the most attended solar event in the U.S., will be held July 13-16 in San Francisco.

U.S. Advanced Energy News

Savings from energy efficiency resulted in a 24% savings in New England this winter, according to a new report from the Maine-based Acadia Center.

Hyundai has entered the hydrogen fuel cell auto market, joining a number of other companies working to boost their fleets of hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Opponents of President Obama’s regulations limiting emissions of greenhouse gases from power plants faced tough sledding this week as a federal appeals court considered their arguments.

SolarCity is partnering with Nest to integrate smart thermostats with rooftop solar arrays.

Glenn Beck is having trouble buying a Tesla in Texas as a result of that state’s automobile franchise laws.  

Goldman Sachs is calling for better standards to govern the $80 billion green bond market – a market that doubled last year and is projected to double again this year.

EPA says it will get back on schedule in issuing rules for biofuels, according to an announcement this week from the Agency.

 
Webinars and Additional Resources
AEE is home to PowerSuite, a suite of tools that allows companies a one-stop on-line portal to search, track, and collaborate on state legislation and regulatory proceedings from around the country. PowerSuite includes both BillBoard, the AEE dashboard for managing state legislation, and DocketDash, the AEE dashboard for managing state public utility commission proceedings. Subscription required.
 
SolarPermit.org is a national solar permitting database that provides information on permitting for solar in jurisdictions across the country. The database includes a variety of information, from average permit turnaround times, to information required to be included in the permit, to contact information for individual jurisdictions. You can browse the requirements for the Michigan cities included in the database here.
 
The U.S. Department of Energy is offering A Guide to Federal Finance Facilities Available for Energy Efficiency Upgrades and Clean Energy Deployment. The downloadable guide provides information about the various federal financing programs available for energy efficiency and renewable energy — making it easier for state, local and tribal leaders, along with their partners in the private sector, to find capital for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
 
The Department of Energy has offers free public access to accepted peer-reviewed manuscripts or published scientific journal articles from projects funded by the DOE within 12 months of publication.