Policy Matters: Michigan EIBC Hosts Member-Only Policy Meeting

Blog Categories

Newsletter (404)

Policy Matters: Michigan EIBC Hosts Member-Only Policy Meeting on 9/21 in Lansing

On September 21, Michigan EIBC will host an exclusive in-person policy meeting for members to discuss the Michigan election in November, activities between now and the end of 2018, and to set an agenda for 2019 policy.

Michigan’s energy policy landscape is changing and Michigan EIBC members are at the center of the discussion. In November, Michigan will elect a new Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, and numerous state representatives and senators. While the advanced energy industry is poised to thrive, elections do matter for the advanced energy sector, particularly this election. That’s why Michigan EIBC has engaged in extensive candidate education and is following the elections closely. To date, Michigan EIBC has received responses from nearly 170 candidates on their stances on important energy policy positions, with more coming in each day. Next week on September 21, Michigan EIBC will provide more information on the current election and progress on our candidate education efforts, undertaken in partnership with the Institute for Energy Innovation.

While the elections are the hot topic, the book hasn’t closed on 2018. The Michigan Legislature still has work to be done, with action anticipated on at least some items before the end of the session. At the same time, there is conversation swirling about what may or may not be on the agenda during lame duck – the time following the November election and before the new legislators take office in January 2019. Hearings are possible on a variety of topics in the Energy Committees and there is likely to be floor action on bills. Michigan EIBC and member companies will certainly be following closely and will be prepared to speak before committee on these topics. Members should plan to join us on Sept 21^st for more discussion.

The election and the remaining 2018 legislative calendar are the most immediate concerns, but a forward-looking policy agenda – taking into account potential election outcome scenarios – for 2019 is also a key priority. No matter the outcome of the election, Michigan EIBC will continue to advance a policy agenda that supports the entire advanced energy industry.

For members planning on attending, please RSVP.

MPSC Releases Michigan Distribution Planning Framework

Distribution system planning can seem dull, but it has important implications for the advanced energy industry. Combined, DTE and Consumer’s distribution plans called for $7.2 billion in investment in the next five years which could have very positive results for enabling Michigan’s energy future, if done well.

Michigan EIBC and national partner AEEI have been active participants on behalf of the advanced energy industry on this topic. On September 1^st, the Michigan Public Service Commission released the staff report for the Michigan Distribution Planning Framework. The foundation for this report was an MPSC process that included DTE Electric and Consumers Energy filing 5-year distribution investment and maintenance plans. On August 7, the Commission held a technical conference to get stakeholder input on the plans. Taking this feedback into account, Commission staff prepared the Distribution Planning Framework to help guide on-going distribution planning efforts for utilities in Michigan as well as for future efforts. Comments on this report are due October 1^st.

As Commission Staff point out in the report, “utility system planners have unprecedented levels of system data to leverage when making investment decisions.” Using this data will better inform distribution planning. As the Framework lays out, distribution system planning should better integrate distributed energy resources by requiring utilities to use dynamic load forecasting, consider of non-wires alternatives, and make hosting capacity information publicly available. The Distribution Planning Framework emphasizes the need to make advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) information available via existing resources, a measure that would open energy management opportunities for third-party businesses and for consumers. In short, the Distribution Planning Framework helps set the stage for a transition to a smart, modern grid in Michigan – one that will open new opportunities for the advanced energy industry. You can read the full report here.

Seeing the Future: Innovator’s Gala

The use of data, automation, and software solutions to improve how people and companies interact with energy is a national and global trend. Governments, utilities, and private companies are finding new and innovative ways to leverage such information technology trends to reduce energy usage, optimize the electric grid, integrate more electric vehicles, and enable renewable energy and storage. Even more pivotally, such companies are starting to focus on convenience and services to consumers. As more things – from cars to phones to appliances to thermostats – run on electricity and are interconnected, the more important utility adoption of new software and automation tactics becomes.

No one knows this better than Adrian Tuck of Tendril. Tuck and his team at Tendril are helping shift the way that energy is delivered, helping utilities focus on understanding how to make energy management a desirable service for the average customer. Tuck has authored an ebook titled The Amazon Effect: Energy in the On Demand Era and What It Means for Utilities, has been a featured speaker by the likes of Greentech Media’s The Energy Gang and Consumers Energy, and has penned numerous articles and op-eds on these evolving topics.

In November, Michigan EIBC is thrilled to have him as a keynote for the Michigan Energy Innovators Gala on Wednesday, November 14 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing.

Sponsor opportunities and RSVP link can all be found on our website.

Event Sponsors

Gigawatt Level

Megawatt Level

Kilowatt Level

Michigan Energy Stories

Lake Erie offshore wind project is committing to extra bird and wildlife protections
Senvion and Heritage Sustainable Energy announced an 80 mW wind power deal in Delta County.
Michigan residents and businesses will see a savings in their utility bills of about $20 annually as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
County planners in eastern Michigan grapple with regulations for wind and solar projects.
Environmental advocates raise concerns about an $80 million natural gas expansion project at the University of Michigan.
A West Michigan woman is seeing electric bill reductions thanks to the solar system installed on her farm.
The Michigan Energy Office announced it will sponsor Michigan teams of college students to compete in the Solar Decathlon Design Challenge.
The furniture store Herman Miller will run its Michigan plants on wind powerthanks to a deal struck with Constellation Energy.
Apprenticeship programs in the energy industry in partnership with the state of Michigan are helping fill a workforce skills gap in Michigan.

National Energy Stories

The U.S. solar market showed signs of a turnaround in the second quarter, according to a new report.
States across the united states are grappling with how net-metering replacements will impact the rooftop solar industry.
A report found that nearly a thousand institutional investors representing more than $6 trillion have committed to divest from fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy.
Cleveland is among a coalition of U.S. cities that has pledged to incorporate EVs into municipal fleets to reduce greenhouse gases.
Columbus, Ohio, is more than halfway to its goal of 300 public fleet EVs by 2020.
New Hampshire will use $4.6 million from the 2016 Volkswagen emissions settlement to build EV charging stations.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities approved National Grid’s $25 million proposal to support electric vehicles (EV).
Early stage venture capital money is flowing toward electric vehicles.
Utility and power sector investments reached a record $180 billion in the first half of 2018.
The total worldwide sale of electric vehicles reached 4 million in September of 2018.
The energy storage market is up 60 percent over last year in the second quarter of 2018.
The US energy efficiency industry employs 2.25 million people according to a recent study.

Michigan Energy Events
On September 21, Ceres and the University of Michigan will host Electric Vehicles Open Forum: Aligning Major Market Actors in Michigan starting at 8:45am. Learn more and register here.

The Annual Meeting for the National Association of State Energy Offices (NASEO) will be hosted in Detroit September 23-26. The event will focus on integrating electric vehicles, buildings, and the grid for greater efficiency, intelligence, resiliency, and mobility. Learn more and register here.

A public hearing will be held on the proposed SAFE Vehicles Rule on September 25 in Dearborn.

The University of Michigan’s Energy Club at Ross (ECR) proudly presents the 2018 Energy Conference. This year’s theme is “Disruptive Futures in Energy Technology” where the focus will be on how disruptive technologies and innovative business models are rapidly shaping the future of energy. The event is on September 28 at the Ross School of Business, 701 Tappan Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, Colloquium (6th Floor)

MSU IPU invites you to the 60th Annual Regulatory Studies Program’s 13th Advanced Regulatory Studies Program: Ratemaking, Accounting, Finance, and Evaluation. The event will provide intensive, interactive, and technical workshops for experienced professionals in the regulatory policy community. It will take place October 1-5 in East Lansing.

Michigan EIBC will host a members-only election recap on Friday, November 9. Watch your inboxes for registration details.

Michigan EIBC’s Annual Energy Innovator’s Gala is scheduled for Wednesday, November 14, in Lansing. Sponsorship opportunities are available and interested sponsors should contact Nicole Forward at nicole@mieibc.org. For more information on the Gala and to register, please check out the website.

IEI will host a Corporate Purchasers Lunch & Learn at the House Office Building in Lansing on December 5. This event will be open to legislators and legislative staff, as well as Michigan EIBC members. Watch your inboxes for registration details.

National Energy Events
The 2018 Veteran’s Energy Seminar Series is scheduled for Boston (9/27). If you are interested in speaking or sponsoring an event, please visit www.vetsenergyseminar.org/speakers or www.vetsenergyseminar.org/donate.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) invite you to Solar Power International, September 24-27, in Anaheim, California. Registration opens in spring of 2018 here.

PACENation Regional Ohio Conference on Property Assessed Clean Energy will be on September 26 in Columbus, Ohio. Register here.

Join 500+ attendees October 18-19 in Vermont for REVitalize: Transforming Energy Further, Fast, Together with keynote speakers Katherine Hamilton, chair of 38 North Solutions, and Gordan Van Welie, president and CEO of ISO New England.

Attend the 2018 ACEEE Rural Energy Conference on October 22 in Atlanta, Georgia. Register here.

MSU IPU invites you to the 60th Annual Regulatory Studies Program’s 46th Eastern NARUC Utility Rate School. The event provides comprehensive hands-on training on the basics of the public utility ratemaking process and is sponsored by the NARUC Committee on Water and featuring group work on a mock water utility rate case. It will take place October 22-26 in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

Join 20,000 energy professionals at the Energy Storage North America Solar+Storage Summit November 6-8 in Pasadena, California. Register here.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) invite you to Solar Power Midwest in Chicago on November 14-15.

You’re invited to Facing Race, a conference taking place in Detroit November 8-10. The conference will include several components related to energy democracy, helping cities and states to implement their new energy programs in a way that is racially equitable. For more information, please click here.

Announcements and Opportunities
The Michigan Energy Office (MEO) has announced a pilot program that will offer matching funds to eligible Michigan businesses to develop innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.

USDA announced a set of loan guarantees and grants as a part of USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The deadlines to apply for grants are Oct. 31, 2018, and April 1, 2019. Applications for loan guarantees are accepted year-round. Additional information about the program and how to apply for this funding is available on page 40216 of the Aug. 14, 2018, Federal Register.

Recent Posts