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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:
Cory Connolly Appointed As Climate and Energy Advisor at Michigan EGLE
A major announcement from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) today: Michigan EIBC VP Cory Connolly is joining EGLE as climate and energy advisor!
This is bittersweet news for us at Michigan EIBC. It is bitter because Cory has been an invaluable part of our organization over the past nearly four years. He has been a thought leader in the advanced mobility space, organizing our series of EV convenings, developing research that has informed the state of Michigan’s policies on EVs and EV infrastructure and participating as a member of the Council on Future Mobility and Electrification. Cory has been a persistent and eloquent voice in Lansing, testifying on behalf of Michigan EIBC before Michigan House and Senate committees more times than we can count. And as anyone who remembers our ongoing newsletter series about Cory’s tour of member companies knows, we are blessed to have Cory as an ambassador for the advanced energy industry all across our state.
But as much as we will miss him at Michigan EIBC, the good news is that Cory has incredible opportunities at EGLE to drive advanced energy policies forward. He “will play a key role in formulating and overseeing implementation of Gov. Whitmer’s MI Healthy Climate plan, a roadmap to reducing greenhouse gas emissions statewide,” Michigan EGLE said in a statement. “The state’s Council on Climate Solutions is currently reviewing workgroup and public recommendations on the formulation of the plan.”
“Cory joins the state at a critical moment for moving Michigan forward toward a carbon-free future,” EGLE Director Liesl Clark said in the statement. “His skill in bringing together diverse interests will be essential for creating momentum toward successful carbon reduction.”
The previous climate and energy advisor was Dr. Brandy Brown, who recently departed EGLE to join Michigan EIBC member Walker-Miller Energy Services as Chief Innovation Officer.
Congratulations, Cory!
Now Hiring: Director of Legislative Affairs
The Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC) and Institute for Energy Innovation (IEI) are hiring a full-time Director of Legislative Affairs to coordinate our work at the Michigan legislature and support other policy efforts. Applications are due Friday, Dec. 17.
The chosen candidate’s policy portfolio will include:
- Legislative advocacy including meetings with legislators and testimony in front of committees
- Analyzing the impact of legislation on the advanced energy industry
- Support of the development of legislative priorities and key legislation
- Support of advanced energy sector-specific initiatives, including research and report writing
- Communication and collaboration with members of the advanced energy industry
Desired qualifications include:
- Experience working on issues related to energy policy and legislative affairs (preferred candidates will have at least 3 years of relevant experience)
- Experience writing and analyzing legislation
- Ability to work and communicate in a bipartisan manner
- Strong network in Lansing, including among legislators and legislative staff
- Specific policy expertise in advanced energy including mobility/transportation electrification
- Experience communicating with business leaders and balancing the interests of multiple parties
- Ability to balance multiple tasks at once
- Ability to operate independently in a virtual work environment
- Willingness to step-in to help with any task to support a small team
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong networking and public speaking experience
Find out more about this job and how to apply here.
Speakers Announced for Workforce Development Convening Dec. 9 — Event Now Virtual
On December 9, Michigan EIBC is holding an Advanced Energy Workforce Development Convening, which will host speakers and panelists to answer the question of how to fill existing and anticipated skills gaps and achieve a more diverse advanced energy workforce.
A recent report laid out the diversity problem facing the advanced energy industry.
Speakers and panelists include:
- Marcia S. Black-Watson, Industry Engagement Division Administrator, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
- Carla Walker-Miller, CEO, Walker-Miller Energy Services
- Kwafo Adarkwa, Director of Public Affairs, ITC
- Katie Gandy, Sr. Community Engagement Specialist, Barton Malow Builders
Given recent increases in Covid-19 infections in Michigan, we will now be holding the event virtually. All are welcome to register in advance here!
Sponsored by:
Dec. 6: Join Us for Energy 101 on Keeping Jobs in Michigan Through Energy Policy
The decision by Ford to build new EV and battery plants in Kentucky and Tennessee and not Michigan has brought a question to the forefront: How can we keep commercial and industrial facilities in Michigan through energy policy? Michigan EIBC Laura Sherman had some thoughts on the answer to that question in a recent Energy News Network article.
But we are going to go much deeper on that question in our next virtual Energy 101 event on December 6. Michigan EIBC members, legislators and legislative staff are invited to join for a discussion about energy policy in Michigan and how increasing access to advanced energy solutions can improve economic development.
Please email us to learn more or register.
Michigan Energy News
- Michigan EIBC members Lean & Green Michigan and Petros PACE Finance are featured in an Energy News Network article about how commercial property assessed clean energy (C-PACE) financing has been booming in Michigan.
- Next January, Michigan EGLE aims to release a draft of its healthy climate plan, which will analyze how the state can meet the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
- A public input session held by EGLE’s Council on Climate Solutions focuses on rooftop solar, EVs and environmental justice.
- House Energy Committee Chair Rep. Joe Bellino (R-Monroe) tells Gongwer that he wants to see legislative action regarding the cap on rooftop solar.
- A major barrier to weatherization programs in Detroit is that many buildings need more fundamental repairs like roof replacements.
- The state of Michigan switches its legal strategy against the Line 5 pipeline by withdrawing the federal lawsuit and focusing on state courts.
National Energy News
- The hydrogen fuel industry would receive new tax credits and other incentives as part of the Build Back Better Act.
- State attorneys general and utility regulators are clashing with the Edison Electric Institute in a FERC proceeding over whether incumbent utilities should have the right of first refusal to build transmission lines in their service territories.
- The International Energy Agency boosts its forecast for renewable power capacity by 35% over previous estimates, finding that U.S. renewables will grow 65% from 2021 to 2026.
- Duke Energy and North Carolina solar advocates reach a compromise agreement regarding net metering in that state.
- Coal supplies at U.S. power plants are at their lowest level since the 1970’s.
- Nuclear fusion startup Commonwealth Fusion Systems raises $1.8 billion in funding.
Job Board
We are debuting a new section of the newsletter for Michigan EIBC members to post job openings in advanced energy fields. 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.
Energy Sciences
Position: Senior Retro-Commissioning Engineer, Metro Detroit
“As a senior retro-commissioning engineer with Energy Sciences, you will join our team of degreed and licensed engineers, scientists, and energy efficiency professionals to meet the energy use challenges of commercial and industrial facilities. We’re looking for experienced and talented technical team members to assist our clients, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, in making their building systems work, identifying energy-savings opportunities, reducing waste, and saving operating cost. You will play a key role in a growing company that is dedicated to driving our vision of a sustainable and socially responsible energy future, working in an exciting, collaborative environment.”
Foresight Management
Positions: Senior Project Manager, Sales Coordinator, Business Development Rep
Foresight is hiring for these and other positions. Visit the Careers page here.
NextEnergy
Position: Technical Program Manager, Mobility, Detroit
“Support NextEnergy’s Mobility practice through the execution of programs designed to accelerate smart, clean, accessible solutions for communities and cities under the leadership of the Director, Technology Development. You’ll work with technology companies, business stakeholders, public agencies, and NextEnergy partners to launch and manage demonstrations of technologies that help demonstrate and commercialize next-generation mobility technologies and business models.”
NOVI Energy
Position: Project Engineer, Novi, MI
NOVI Energy is growing, and they need your help. This month, they announced a joint venture with Osaka Gas USA to develop over 1000 MW of solar power generation facilities, enough solar and storage to power more than 150,000 homes with clean, affordable energy while creating good-paying jobs. This is one of several exciting projects NOVI Energy is developing! Learn more about their company and available Project Engineer positions. See open positions here.
SunPower
Position: Senior Associate, Market Development and Policy
SunPower is seeking a Senior Associate, Market Development and Policy, to advocate on SunPower’s behalf on state policy with various public service commissions, state legislatures, and state agencies to drive residential, commercial and community solar and energy storage adoption in the Midwest U.S., particularly in Illinois and Michigan. The successful candidate must be a self-starter, comfortable working remotely, and have experience navigating various regulatory dockets, reviewing public comments, and summarizing state legislation. Frequent travel within the Midwest region may be required at times. Location is flexible, although presence in Illinois is preferred.
Michigan and National Energy Events
On Dec. 6 at 10:30 am, Michigan EIBC is holding a virtual Energy 101 event about how energy policy can keep C&I companies and jobs in Michigan. if you are a Michigan EIBC member, state legislator or legislative staffer, please email us to join the event.
The Advanced Energy Workforce Development Convening on Dec. 9 will focus on ways to increase the workforce and improve diversity in renewable energy, efficiency, energy storage, advanced mobility and other industries. RSVP now.
Gov. Whitmer created the Council on Climate Solutions as an advisory body to help formulate and implement the MI Healthy Climate Plan. The council is holding a series of meetings throughout the year on various topics related to cutting Michigan’s CO2 emissions and recommending solutions for communities disproportionately affected by climate change. Go to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy Office of Climate and Energy website to learn how to join these meetings.
Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Energy has an opportunity for $105 million in funding for small businesses that are working to deploy clean energy technologies. “This funding opportunity is open to small businesses that have previously received SBIR or STTR grants to provide additional opportunities to compete for funding to develop working prototypes of their discoveries,” according to the DOE.
The Lansing Board of Water and Light has put out a Request for Information for Energy Storage. Responses are due Nov. 30. More information here.
Michigan EIBC member Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University is now accepting applications for its C3 Accelerator. Apply here by Jan. 10, 2022. 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 “Guess 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.
The Detroit 2030 District is a free program that challenges Detroit building owners and managers to reduce wasted energy. Those that achieve the greatest reductions from the prior-year baseline will be recognized at the first annual Detroit Energy Challenge Award Ceremony in 2021. Visit 2030districts.org/Detroit to find out more information including how a building can apply.