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January 15, 2024

Newsletter: Annual Report on MI Healthy Climate Plan, Defending the Siting Law and More

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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:


     

     

    MI Healthy Climate Plan Annual Update Sees Michigan On Track To Achieve Clean Energy Goals

    Michigan is on track to achieve 100% clean energy by 2040, according to the recently-released annual report from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) that summarizes progress last year toward achieving the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan.

    “This report caps one of the most productive years in EGLE history,” Gov. Whitmer said in a statement, adding that the package of energy legislation she recently signed has put Michigan in a position of “leading the nation on clean energy and climate action.”

    The report summarizes the various provisions of the energy package and details how they correspond to the MI Healthy Climate Plan goals. In addition, the report discusses how 2023 budget provisions will help reduce grid emissions, increase vehicle electrification and repair homes and other buildings and move toward greater decarbonization of the building sector, among other steps related to the plan.

    “Through strategic investments outlined in the MI Healthy Climate Plan, we are charting a path toward a more sustainable future while ensuring real benefits for our communities. From creating high-quality jobs to reducing energy costs and improving the overall quality of life, these initiatives are a commitment to making Michigan a better place for everyone who calls it home,” EGLE Director Phil Roos said in the statement.

    Michigan EIBC Will Defend the Clean Energy Siting Law

    One of the biggest energy policy successes of 2023 was the legislature passing and the governor signing into law a new path forward for the siting approval of utility-scale wind, solar and energy storage facilities. The law certifies the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to approve these projects while also considering local input. As Michigan EIBC and member companies argued in the lead-up to the law’s passage, including in testimony before committees in Lansing, this expanded role for the MPSC is necessary due to the number of projects that have been blocked at the local level by campaigns driven by misinformation. The law, therefore, is a critical piece of the strategy to allow enough renewable energy to be built to meet the goals laid out in the MI Healthy Climate Plan.

    But just weeks after the new law was signed and before it has even been able to be put to use, an effort to overturn it with a ballot initiative has been reported.

    It is a shame that certain interests are trying to pit landowners and clean energy against each other, because there is a “mutually beneficial relationship between clean energy and agriculture that is financially and environmentally productive for both parties and the communities, states and countries where these projects are built,” as Michigan EIBC Director of Policy Justin Carpenter wrote in a Bridge magazine piece published a few weeks before the new law was passed and signed. For example, landowners in Branch County leasing to solar projects have seen the leases as an opportunity for their land to “rest and rejuvenate.”

    The benefits of renewable energy also accrue to the surrounding communities, as can be seen with the number of school districts that have been able to raise funds without tax increases due to the revenue coming from local wind farms.

    Just as implementing siting reform was a priority for Michigan EIBC last year, preserving this new law and allowing it to work will be a priority for 2024.

     

    Michigan EIBC Announces 2024 Leadership Council 

    As we start the new year, Michigan EIBC is excited to unveil its 2024 Leadership Council. Congratulations to the following member companies:

    • Apex Clean Energy
    • Barton Malow
    • ChargePoint
    • EDP Renewables
    • FLO EV Charging
    • Harvest Solar
    • Hemlock Semiconductor
    • Invenergy, LLC
    • ITC Holdings Corp.
    • Jupiter Power, LLC
    • Key Capture Energy
    • National Grid Renewables
    • NextEra Energy Resources, LLC
    • Ranger Power
    • Schneider Electric
    • SEEL, LLC
    • SunPower
    • Sunrun
    • Walker-Miller Energy Services

    We look forward to working with all of you in 2024!

     

    Renewing Members

    Apex Clean Energy

    Apex Clean Energy is an independent renewable energy company focused on developing utility-scale generation and energy storage facilities. Based in Charlottesville, Virginia, Apex has commercialized thousands of megawatts of clean energy and has built one of the nation’s largest, most diversified portfolios of renewable energy resources. The company is currently exploring the feasibility of constructing more than 1.2 GW of renewable energy projects in Michigan.

    Barton Malow Company
    Barton Malow offers construction services in energy generation using a variety of different contracting methods to suite needs that include EPC, Construction Management, Self_Perform Services, and General Contracting. We specialize in Combined Heat and Power, Biomass, Utility Grade Solar, Wind, and Environmental Projects.

    Ceres
    Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future.

    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.

    Convergent Energy + Power
    Convergent Energy + Power (Convergent) is a leading provider of energy storage solutions in North America. Convergent has over a decade of experience financing and managing all aspects of the energy storage development cycle to help customers reduce electricity costs and increase reliability. The company’s commercial, industrial, and utility-scale assets can yield seven-figure savings while advancing the clean energy transition. Convergent’s proprietary asset management platform, PEAK IQ® leverages machine learning and deep market knowledge to optimize asset performance and maximize value. With over $400M invested in projects in operation or allocated to projects under development, Convergent is a leading independent owner and operator of energy storage and solar-plus-storage solutions.

    Cultivate Power
    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.

    Cypress Creek Renewables
    Cypress Creek is an integrated solar and storage company. We develop and own solar and storage projects, both utility-scale and community-scale. We offer Operations & Maintenance Services for owned and assets.

    DG Reimagined
    Helping businesses reimagine the energy system to realize the value of renewables, storage, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency.

    East Point Energy
    East Point Energy is a development firm focused on the origination, construction, and operation of energy storage projects. Our team is currently developing gigawatts of energy storage projects throughout the country, helping to transform the grid into a renewable, resilient, and affordable system for generations to come. East Point is a wholly owned subsidiary of Equinor, a broad international energy company committed to long-term value creation in a low-carbon future. East Point’s nimble team is comprised of hard-working, strategic problem solvers who are passionate about sustainability. We are technology and contractor agnostic, allowing us to find the best solution for each project. The firm’s executive team founded East Point in 2018, bringing decades of combined energy development experience and over 1.8 gigawatts of solar, wind, and energy storage projects currently in operation across the United States. Success for East Point is measured by delivering affordable energy storage solutions that benefit the grid, communities, and our environment.

    Form Energy
    Form Energy is developing, manufacturing, and commercializing a new class of cost-effective, multi-day energy storage systems that will enable a reliable and fully renewable electric grid year-round.

    General Motors

    Headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, with employees around the world, General Motors is a company with global scale and capabilities. Our Vision is a World With Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion. Our diverse team brings their collective passion for engineering, technology, and design to deliver on this ambitious future, and the bold commitments we’ve made are moving us closer to realizing this vision.

    Harvest Solar
    Since 2006, Harvest Solar’s mission has been to assist residential, agricultural, commercial, and utility customers in becoming more sustainable, efficient and independent with renewable energy. We pride ourselves on partnering with our customers throughout this experience, consistently delivering quality, custom-designed & engineered, cost-effective energy systems.

    Homeland Solar
    Homeland Solar’s mission is to make owning one’s own power EASY and AFFORDABLE for individuals and organizations, public and private, whether residential, commercial, not-for-profit or industrial. The licensed electrical and building company is an engineering, design and installation firm.  Homeland has a strong and diverse staff with an equally strong commitment to working with its customers to optimize the move to an electric future.  Based in Washtenaw County, integrity and finding resilient solutions are hallmarks of operations.

    Jupiter Power LLC
    Jupiter Power is a utility-scale energy storage company that uses novel applications of cutting-edge energy storage technologies to better serve today’s electricity business. Jupiter is backed by leading energy investors EnCap Investments L.P., Yorktown Partners and Mercuria Energy and has offices in Austin, Texas and Chicago, Illinois. The company is currently developing more than 10GW of storage projects for construction over 2022-2026 in the most promising United States markets, with a particular focus on Texas, the eastern seaboard, California and the midcontinent.

    Key Capture Energy
    Key Capture Energy identifies, develops, constructs and operates energy storage solutions to foster greater deployment of renewable energy, create a more stable electric grid, and provide value to all ratepayers.

    Lakeshore Die Cast
    Lakeshore Die Cast is a manufacturer of aluminum and zinc die castings founded in 1959 in Michigan. We make die castings for all industries but primarily serve non-automotive customers. More recently we are involved in energy generation through on-site solar and would like to share our experience with other medium sized manufactures to speed adoption of renewables for economic advantage.

    Michigan Saves

    Michigan Saves, the nation’s first nonprofit green bank, promotes accessible, equitable, and just investments in energy efficiency and clean energy to support healthy and thriving communities.

    Mitsubishi Electric Trane US
    Mitsubishi Electric Trane US is a manufacturer of All-Climate heat pump technology. Systems are designed for elevated living and lower impact on the environment. Our mission is to provide personal comfort to our customers and create prosperous communities where we live and work.

    National Grid Renewables
    National Grid Renewables, which includes the renewables development company formerly known as Geronimo Energy, is a leading North American renewable energy company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with satellite offices located throughout multiple states in the regions where it develops, constructs, and operates. As a farmer-friendly and community focused company, National Grid Renewables develops projects for corporations and utilities that seek to repower America’s electricity grid by reigniting local economies and reinvesting in a sustainable future. National Grid Renewables is part of the competitive, unregulated Ventures division of National Grid and has a robust portfolio of solar, wind, and energy storage projects located throughout the United States in various stages of development, construction and operation.

    Peracchio & Company, LLC
    John Peracchio provides strategic consulting services in the intelligent transportation systems (“ITS”) sector and automotive industry for strategic and investor clients. His focus is on deployment of mobility solutions across transportation modes, especially those involving connected and highly automated vehicles as well as innovation in transaction management and payments processing. From February 2017 to April 2020, Mr. Peracchio served as chair of the Michigan Council on Future Mobility having been appointed by Michigan’s governor. The council, within the Michigan Department of Transportation, provided policy recommendations to promote the development of technologies for autonomous, automated, and connected vehicles, and to enhance personal mobility. Currently, Mr. Peracchio serves as a senior advisor to the succeeding Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification and leads the council’s electrification workgroup. Mr. Peracchio has been active with the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, an association of public and private entities operating in the ITS and connected/automated vehicle sectors around the world and currently serves on its Standing Committee on Smart Infrastructure. He was a member of the organizing committee of the 2018 ITS America Annual Meeting in Detroit and is a former member of the Board of Directors of the World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems. He also chaired the International Program Committee for the 2011 ITS World Congress with responsibility for organizing all technical, special, executive, and plenary sessions at this event. From November 2018 to September 2019, Mr. Peracchio was employed by Conduent Transportation, an integrated provider of tolling, transit, parking, and public safety transportation solutions and a business unit of Conduent, Inc. (NYSE: CNDT). He held the positions of General Manager – Mobility Solutions and Strategy and Interim Chief Executive Officer. In January 2007, Mr. Peracchio resigned his position as Senior Vice President, Business Administration and Legal Affairs of Harman/Becker Automotive Systems, a global business unit of Harman International Industries. Employed by Harman/Becker from 1997 to 2007, Mr. Peracchio held several senior operating, executive positions and finally had worldwide responsibility for business administration, legal affairs, human resources, facilities, health, and safety. He also acted as designated business leader in the negotiation of technology licenses, strategic alliances, joint ventures, and acquisitions. Mr. Peracchio received his Juris Doctor degree from Columbia University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University.  He is a member of the Board of Directors of Feonix – Mobility Rising, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the transportation needs of underserved and underprivileged communities.  He is a member of the American Public Transportation Association, the International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association, ITS Canada, and the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council.  He also is a member of the New York and Michigan bars and an associate member of the Society of Automotive Engineers.

    Potomac Law Group
    Attorneys in Potomac Law Group’s energy practice have significant experience in conventional, alternative and renewable energy development and operation. PLG attorneys have been involved in energy legal issues for more than 35 years and have both the 40,000-foot perspective and the detailed knowledge of this highly-regulated industry to help their clients meet their energy goals in the new energy marketplace.

    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. 

    Roncelli, Inc.
    General contracting based out of Sterling Heights which opened its doors in 1966. Strong background in healthcare and automotive based construction projects. Recently becoming involved in projects supporting renewable power generation and storage.

    Rivenoak Consulting
    Rivenoak Consulting, Inc. is a firm that services the areas of Policy Advocacy; Energy Advocacy; Expert Testimony & Research and Analysis. 

    RWE Clean Energy
    RWE Clean Energy is one of the largest renewable energy companies in the world and is proud to develop, build, and operate clean, affordable renewable energy projects across the United States. With approximately 8GW of renewables under operation, more than $7 billion in assets, and nearly 1,500 employees in America, RWE Clean Energy is committed to building the future with our energy for a sustainable life.

    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.

    Sunrun
    Sunrun is the nation’s leading home solar, battery storage, and energy services company. Founded in 2007, Sunrun pioneered home solar service plans to make local clean energy more accessible to everyone for little to no upfront cost. Sunrun’s innovative home battery solutions bring families affordable, resilient, and reliable energy. The company can also manage and share stored solar energy from the batteries to provide benefits to households, utilities, and the electric grid while reducing our reliance on polluting energy sources. 

    SWCA Environmental Consultants
    We at SWCA are the problem solvers. We are the scientists, the planners, the technical specialists, and the creative thinkers.
    Since 1981, SWCA has helped public and private clients overcome environmental challenges and move their projects forward. Our 100% employee-owned firm offers comprehensive environmental planning, regulatory compliance, and natural and cultural resources management services. We work together to understand the full life cycle of any project, from inception to completion.
    In the face of rapid environmental, economic, and societal changes, our purpose is simple: to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today. We do that by offering a suite of environmental consulting services combined with local knowledge, regulatory expertise, and high-quality service. We build long-term, trusting relationships with our clients and guide their projects to successful completion.
    With a nationwide presence, SWCA is able to rapidly pool resources and respond to our clients’ needs.  

    Utilidata
    Utilidata is a technology company bringing open source distributed artificial intelligence (AI) to the edge of the electric grid to accelerate decarbonization and better serve people.

    Ventower Industries
    Ventower Industries is a leading North American steel fabricator currently specializing in wind turbine towers, marine foundation solutions, pressure vessels, welded storage tanks and the application of various coating systems.

    Walker-Miller Energy Services
    Founded in 2000, Walker-Miller Energy Services (WMES) is a woman & minority-owned urban energy waste reduction company focusing on empowering people and enriching communities. We achieve that by providing an exceptional experience to our customers, our team members and the communities in which we serve. Our talented team of Certified Energy Managers (CEM), BPI Certified Energy Analysts, LEED accredited Professionals, Building Analysts, and internal support staff have been delivering energy efficiency services for nearly two decades.

    Windemuller Electric, Inc.

    Windemuller provides advanced technical and design services throughout Michigan and beyond. The company was established in 1954 as an electrical contractor and has since expanded into automation, communications and IT, electrical services, outdoor utilities, and renewable energy. Within those categories, we have worked on projects relating to Healthcare, Data Centers, Oil and Gas, Pharmaceuticals, Industrial Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Agricultural, and Public Works. From sophisticated security systems for the government, to controls and automated processes for environmental cleanups or responding to emergencies on an industrial site, Windemuller is responsive and innovative. We offer a 24 hour service department that’s available 365 days a year. With Branch offices located in Southern, Mid and Northern Michigan, Windemuller also has satellite offices in Big Rapids, Kalamazoo, Petoskey and Whitehall. Visit our Locations web page for more information. At its heart, Windemuller is about our people and the people we serve. We are more than 200 individuals strong and serve thousands of customers of all sizes within industrial, government, municipal, and commercial entities. 

    Zausmer, P.C.
    Zausmer is one of the premiere infrastructure development firms in Michigan and delivers outstanding results using a creative and pragmatic approach. Our team of knowledgeable attorneys has extensive experience representing high voltage transmission companies, pipeline companies and wind/solar companies facing complex legal matters related to siting, land acquisition, energy infrastructure entitlements, and permitting. We’ve worked with companies in the solar, wind, hydro to biomass, biofuels, and geothermal spaces, advising them on real estate development and construction, financing, tax-equity, purchase and sale, and regulatory and policy issues.

    Michigan Energy News

    National Energy News

    • LG Energy Solution Vertech is planning 10 grid-scale battery storage projects across the U.S. this year.
    • Minnesota lawmakers may take up proposals to speed up clean energy permitting in that state.
    • A recent lawsuit from a California solar panel builder against the federal government raises the threat of more battles over tariffs on solar panels.
    • The Inflation Reduction Act can drive growth for community solar, but barriers for low-income people to benefit from community solar remain, Energy News Network reports.
    • An investigation reveals how power companies used payments to turn civil rights leaders in the South into loyal industry advocates and in some cases opponents of rooftop solar.
    • The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects that solar will be the biggest source of new generation through 2025.
    • A 300-MWh utility-scale battery storage project developed by Spearmint Energy comes online in West Texas.

    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.

    Advanced Energy United

    Policy Director – Decision Maker Education & Engagement – Central. Location: Remote.

    Advanced Energy United is currently seeking an experienced, strategic and innovative Director to focus on decision maker education and engagement in central states. The Director will work with other United team members to develop and implement educational strategies designed to achieve policy successes at the state level that will expand markets for the advanced energy industry and accelerate the U.S. transition to 100% clean energy.

    Policy Director – Decision Maker Education & Engagement – West. Location: Remote.

    Advanced Energy United is currently seeking an experienced, strategic and innovative Director to focus on decision maker education and engagement in western states. The Director will work with other United team members to develop and implement educational strategies designed to achieve policy successes at the state level that will expand markets for the advanced energy industry and accelerate the U.S. transition to 100% clean energy. 

    Elevate

    Director, Community Programs (MI).

    The Director, Community Programs leads and manages Elevate’s Community Programs team in Michigan. The Director is responsible for implementing programs in partnership with community organizations, municipalities, and state agencies related to affordable housing and resilient communities, with an emphasis on building decarbonization – energy and water efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy. The Director, Community Programs collaborates with departments across the organization as well as with key partner organizations. The Director leads strategic planning, resourcing and process improvement on this fast-growing team.


    Opportunities

    The Detroit Area Advocacy Organizations are seeking a qualified and experienced partner to oversee the management, disbursement, and evaluation of $8 million in settlement funds related to DTE Energy’s 2022 Integrated Resource Plan. A Request for Proposals from potential partners is available, and the deadline for submissions is Jan. 19.

    The Gerald R. Ford International Airport has posted a request for qualifications (RFQ) to design and install an approximately 100-kW solar PV and battery system. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 31.

    The City of Detroit is soliciting proposals from qualified solar providers to design, engineer, build, operate, maintain, and decommission installations of ground-mount solar PV projects. Proposals are due Feb. 15.

    The MPSC has released a request for proposals for a $21.3 million renewable energy and electrification infrastructure enhancement and development grant program. Applications are due Feb. 21. 

    The U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office has announced a $38 million funding opportunity focused on cross-sector technologies for industrial decarbonization. Applications are due March 20. Learn more here.

    The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has several open grant applications related to energy efficiency for businesses, local governments, tribal governments and farmers, as well as support for public, private, or nonprofit entities for deploying publicly available fast-charging electric vehicle stations along the Lake Michigan Circuit. These applications have various deadlines from January to March of 2024. Find more information here.