Michigan EIBC Newsletter: Welcome New Director of Policy, Post-Election Recap 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:


Welcome Justin Carpenter, Michigan EIBC’s New Director of Policy

We are pleased to announce that Justin Carpenter has joined Michigan EIBC as its new Director of Policy!

Before joining EIBC, Justin worked as a Legislative Director in both the Michigan House and Senate, managing the Senate Judiciary and House Energy Committees. He has worked with various stakeholders and policymakers on both sides of the aisle covering numerous energy issues.  

During his time at Michigan State University, he also interned in the Michigan House of Representatives and served as Build Coordinator on the executive board of Michigan State’s Habitat for Humanity. Justin accepted his first paid position in the legislature as an executive assistant in the Michigan Senate during his senior year, before graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with an additional major in Economics.

Welcome, Justin!



This Week’s Election Will Bring a Dramatically Changed Lansing in 2023

The results of the election on Nov. 8, which will bring both houses of the Michigan Legislature under Democratic control for the first time in about 40 years, which will have significant implications for the advanced energy industry and Michigan EIBC’s policy agenda, but the exact effect is still unclear.

None of the 76 Democratic senators and representatives who will control the legislature next year have chaired a committee before since they have never been in the majority. The new members will need to hire new staff, and this need to prepare could mean the upcoming lame duck session will be one of the least active in years, Gongwer reported.

Due to these factors, as the dust settles from the election, there may be a longer period of transition than usual before legislative activity gets in full swing. Michigan EIBC looks forward to working with members and partners to help educate new legislators and provide support as they determine priorities for the coming session. 


 

Save the Dates for Our 2023 Conference and Gala

Save April 25-27, 2023, on your calendar for the 11th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference (and associated events) in Lansing!

The conference itself will take place on the 26th. Our Annual Member Meeting and a networking event will be held on the 25th, while our Annual Lobby Day will be on the 27th.

In addition, the 11th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala will be held on Sept. 27, 2023, in Detroit.

More details will follow soon!


 

New Members

CPower
CPower is a leading demand-side energy management solutions provider that helps commercial, industrial, educational, healthcare, and government organizations save on energy costs, earn revenue through energy curtailment, enhance their sustainability efforts, and contribute to a balanced, reliable grid through DER optimization. We serve more than 2,400 customers at over 17,000 sites and manage more than 6.3 gigawatts of electrical load across North America’s energy markets and utilities. CPower is owned by LS Power, a leading development, investment, and operating company focused on the power and energy infrastructure sector.

Ecotelligent Homes
Ecotelligent Homes is an award-winning and licensed home performance contractor that specializes in identifying the root cause of your home’s unique comfort, and indoor air quality concerns. We install customized energy efficiency improvements to solve your problem. If you’re looking for an energy efficiency contractor in Metro Detroit, we can improve your home’s energy usage, insulation, and heating and cooling. Our energy audits will show you what needs to be done so you can be on your way to a more comfortable home that helps preserve natural resources.  

Midwest Geothermal
Midwest Geothermal is a privately held company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 2007, Midwest Geothermal has grown into a full-service geothermal ground-loop installation contractor, servicing customers across the United States. To date, Midwest Geothermal has installed over 4.5 million bore foot. From 2 ton houses up through 3,000 ton campuses, we have taken pride in serving customers in a variety of markets. We work with our clients through budgeting, feasibility, scheduling, contractor coordination, logistics, complete pressure testing, and IGSHPA approved commissioning. We are recognized for offering practical solutions, including sound value engineering, to ensure that every project we are on is a success.

Renewing Members

5 Lakes Energy
5 Lakes Energy is a Michigan-based policy consulting firm dedicated to advancing policies and programs that promote clean energy, sustainability and the environment.

NextEnergy
Founded in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, NextEnergy works with innovators to accelerate smarter, cleaner, more accessible solutions for communities and cities. Since its inception, NextEnergy has worked with more than 400 companies, universities, federal agencies, and philanthropic organizations to drive more than $1.5 billion in advanced energy and mobility technology investments. Based in the center of Detroit’s growing innovation district with access to a microgrid, smart home, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and an alternative fuels platform, we demonstrate and pilot technologies in real-world environments to gather data and diverse user-experiences. This process helps us to quickly scale and deploy solutions by accelerating commercialization with a specific focus on smart mobility and smart grid. Our depth of experience, technical knowledge and established network of partners have enabled us to develop effective programs and pilots and facilitate new relationships to help our clients achieve their commercialization goals.

Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric is leading the Digital Transformation of Energy Management and Automation in Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries. With global presence in over 100 countries, Schneider is the indisputable leader in Power Management – Medium Voltage, Low Voltage, and Secure Power, and in Automation Systems. We provide integrated efficiency solutions, combining energy, automation and software. In our global Ecosystem, we collaborate with the largest Partner, Integrator and Developer Community on our Open Platform to deliver real-time control and operational efficiency. We believe that great people and partners make Schneider a great company and that our commitment to Innovation, Diversity and Sustainability ensures that Life Is On everywhere, for everyone and at every moment.


 

Michigan Energy News

  • In an interview with Planet Detroit, Michigan EIBC President Laura Sherman explains how higher rebates for bigger energy savings in the Inflation Reduction Act will lead to not only more but more thorough energy efficiency projects.
  • Consumers Energy selects iron flow battery manufacturer Energy Storage Systems Inc. for a long-duration energy storage project. 
  • Governor Whitmer says in a speech after winning re-election that attracting more clean energy jobs will be among her second-term priorities
  • Environmental groups react to DTE’s new integrated resource plan
  • DTE’s plan to retire coal plants by 2035 is too slow for the pace Michigan needs to set to meet  its carbon reduction goals, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. 
  • Michigan EIBC member Our Next Energy will supply modular battery packs to electric commercial truck maker Bollinger Motors. 

National Energy News

  • California voters reject a ballot measure that would have taxed individual incomes of over $2 million a year to fund EV purchases and charging infrastructure. 
  • Supply shortages will delay battery storage projects for three years before the effects of the Inflation Reduction Act supercharge the supply chain, according to analysts.
  • California regulators issue a grant to what would be the country’s largest vanadium redox flow battery, which will provide backup power on tribal land.
  • Vistra Corp. can add battery storage at two retiring coal-fired plants after receiving a waiver from Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) interconnection rules.
  • Indiana regulated utility holding company NiSource announces a goal of net-zero emissions by 2040.  
  • Renewable energy saw a number of notable wins in the midterms, S&P Global reports. 

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.

Madison Energy Investments

Finance Analyst — Renewable Energy. Location: Vienna, Va., or New York City

Madison Energy Investments is a high-growth, PE-backed renewable energy company with investments in Solar, Battery and Electric Vehicle infrastructure.Madison is seeking a full-time Finance Analyst to work on our renewable energy investments. Candidates should have a passion for systematically managing cash flows of a business, general knowledge of accounting principles and ability to work cross functionally with team members in Sales, Accounting and Operations.


Michigan and National Energy Events

Michigan EIBC and the American Association of Blacks In Energy (AABE) invites Michigan EIBC members only to a networking event at Walker-Miller Energy Services in Detroit on Nov. 15. Please reach out to Brianna Gerard to register.

The MPSC is holding an energy assistance fair in Melvindale on Nov. 17.

Opportunities

The MPSC has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for Low-Carbon Energy Infrastructure Enhancement and Development Grants. Public Act 53 and Public Act 166 of 2022, approved by the Michigan Legislature and signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, provide for a combined $50 million in grants for businesses, nonprofit organizations and local governments to develop, acquire or build low-carbon energy facilities that may include natural gas, combined heat and power or renewable natural gas facilities as well as electrification programs. The RFP can be found on the Low Carbon EIED Grants webpage, which also includes a detailed timeline for submitting applications and opportunities to seek clarification on the RFP in October and November. Potential applicants may submit clarifying questions on the RFP in two rounds, first by Oct. 21, 2022, with responses due by Nov. 4, and second by Nov. 11, with responses due by Nov. 23.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development has released its guidelines for 2023 Rural Development Fund grants, which aim “to promote the sustainability of land-based industries and support infrastructure that benefits rural communities.” Proposals are due by Nov. 22.

The U.S. Department of Energy intends to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement that supports the implementation of Section 40541 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provides $500 million for grants for energy improvements at public school facilities. Applications close Nov. 28.

Consumers Energy will host a pre-release conference call for its Solar Generation RFP on Nov. 8Register for that call here, and find additional details about this RFP, planned for release on Dec. 8here.

The Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) is soliciting an all-source Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking competitive proposals to supply up to 475 MW firm capacity to meet customer loads into the future and to meet the planning reserve requirements of the Mid-Continent Independent System Operator (MISO). RFP offers are due on Jan. 13, 2023Registration to participate in this RFP is here.

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.