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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:
Laura Sherman in The Detroit News: Michigan At An ‘Energy Crossroads’
In an op-ed in the Detroit News this week, Michigan EIBC President Laura Sherman writes about the connection between the unprecedented clean energy legislation being considered in the state and the uproar over power outages in Michigan this year.
These outages have brought the state to an “energy crossroads” where many have recognized the need “to reverse years of neglected grid infrastructure so reliability can be restored.” But this problem must be fixed without sending utility bills soaring. Achieving both of those goals (reliability and affordability) together must be done through policies like the Michigan budget proposals to support electric vehicle charging infrastructure and legislation proposed in Lansing to support renewable energy, remove limits on rooftop solar and community solar and encourage expansion of energy storage.
“One of the best ways to reduce costs is through innovation, and the ambitious policies to speed Michigan down the road toward grid modernization, decarbonization and electrification represent innovation in energy,” Sherman writes. “Some argue Michigan’s power outage problem implies the grid cannot handle more clean energy or electric vehicles. But the opposite is true: the shift toward a cleaner and more flexible grid needs to happen so Michigan residents and businesses can have reliable access to energy in the face of increasingly severe weather patterns — at the lowest cost possible.”
Action in the Michigan Legislature on Solar, Battery Storage, C-PACE and EVs
This has been a particularly busy week at the Michigan legislature! Bills related to Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) for solar projects, EV charging and commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) were either passed by the full House or advanced by the relevant committee.
In addition, long-awaited bills on behind-the-meter generation were introduced to the House this week. Rep. Jenn Hill (D-Marquette) introduced HB 4839, which would require the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to develop rules to enable customer battery storage systems to be aggregated as virtual power plants. Rep. Donavan McKinney (D-Detroit) introduced HB 4840, which offers rebates to customers who install solar or battery storage systems. We will have more details about this important legislation in next week’s newsletter.
On June 22, the House approved the solar PILT bills, HB 4317 and HB 4318, by votes of 93-16 and 92-17, respectively. These bills would allow utility-scale solar systems over 2 MW in size, at the discretion of local governments, to make PILT payments instead of paying ad valorem property taxes. Dr. Sherman testified in favor of these bills before the House Committee on Tax Policy in May.
Also on June 22, the House Energy, Communications, and Technology Committee advanced SB 302 and SB 303, which would expand the types of projects that are eligible for C-PACE financing and ease the energy savings requirements in the C-PACE statute so that more projects that produce incremental energy savings can qualify. The Senate has already passed these bills.
Finally, on June 20, the House Transportation, Mobility and Infrastructure Committee advanced HB 4706, dubbed the “Right to Charge” bill, which would remove a potential legal obstacle to the ability of many businesses to add EV chargers and access federal funding.
Michigan EIBC and Others Speak At Committee Hearings on Clean Energy Future Plan
On June 22, the Michigan Senate Energy and Environment Committee held a hearing in which it heard from numerous business and environmental groups about their support for the Clean Energy Future Plan, the package of bills introduced to the Senate this April that would substantially reduce Michigan’s greenhouse gas emissions while increasing energy efficiency, among other changes.
Similar legislation was just introduced to the House last week, and the House Energy, Communications, and Technology Committee held its own hearing on those bills on June 21. Michigan EIBC Director of Policy Justin Carpenter testified at that hearing. “We have, in talks with our members, seen a dramatic uptick in interest for investment in Michigan from all these companies,” he said. Carpenter mentioned that a forthcoming report that Michigan EIBC has been working on with Michigan EIBC member 5 Lakes Energy will analyze the positive economic effects of clean energy policies like the ones the legislature is considering. These bills represent “an incredible opportunity for economic investment in this state,” Carpenter said.
Michigan EIBC President Laura Sherman testified at the Senate committee hearing. In addition to the concepts included in the Clean Energy Future Plan, Sherman encouraged the committee to take up bills to eliminate the rooftop solar cap, enable community solar and expand energy storage. “All of these bills are critical to the implementation of the governor’s MI Healthy Climate Plan, to ensure that we can cost-effectively meet our future energy needs, while also addressing climate change and supporting business growth,” she said. “All of these policies would create jobs, provide economic stimulus and unlock significant federal funding.”
Sherman testified alongside leaders of other groups that represent the advanced energy business community: Michigan EIBC Trade Organization Member Advanced Energy United Policy Principal Samarth Medakkar, Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association Executive Director John Freeman and Coalition for Community Solar Access Midwest Regional Director Carlo Cavallaro. “Our collective members represented by these organizations before you today stand ready to expand, innovate and hire,” Sherman said.
The bills considered at the Senate hearing were:
SB 271: mandates 60% renewable energy use by 2030 and 100% by 2035
SB 272: allows the MPSC to regulate utilities on the basis of climate, health, equity, and affordability
SB 273: sets stronger targets for energy waste reduction for all electric providers and requires municipally owned utilities and co-ops to participate
SB 274: requires the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to create a strategic plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings
SB 275: creates a clean fuel standard for vehicles
SB 276: requires the phaseout of coal-fired electricity-generating plants by 2030
SB 277: codifies the policy established in 2019 by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to allow farmers to rent land for commercial solar operations while enrolled in the Farmland Preservation Program.
The bills considered at the House hearing were:
HB 4759: mandates 60% renewable energy use by 2030 and sets a 100% clean energy standard by 2035
HB 4761: sets stronger targets for energy waste reduction for all electric providers and requires municipally owned utilities and co-ops to participate
HB 4760: allows the MPSC to regulate utilities on the basis of climate, health, equity, and affordability
Now Announcing: 11th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala in Detroit on Sept. 27
Michigan EIBC is excited to welcome our members, Michigan legislators and state officials, and the general public to our 11th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala on September 27th at The Eastern in Detroit. Gala is a wonderful opportunity to network with colleagues, policymakers, and industry experts, all while celebrating the individuals and businesses who succeeded in growing Michigan’s advanced energy sector. For more event information and to purchase tickets, click here.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please reach out to Brianna | brianna@mieibc.org. You can review sponsorship levels and benefits here.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
Terawatt Level
Megawatt Level
Kilowatt Level
The Watt Level (Sold Out)
Renewing Members
CleanCapital is a diversified clean energy investment platform. It deploys a unique approach—underpinned by proprietary technology—to make attractive investments in middle market solar and energy storage projects. CleanCapital’s mission is to accelerate the flow of institutional capital into clean energy. Its deep expertise and focused approach has earned the trust of some of the world’s largest institutional investors, resulting in nearly $1 billion of cumulative acquisitions to date.
Hemlock Semiconductor | HSC
Hemlock Semiconductor Operations (HSC) is a leading provider of ultra-pure polycrystalline silicon and other silicon-based products used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices, solar cells and modules. At HSC, we’re passionate about silicon-based technology and its unique potential to connect and energize the world we share. HSC’s polysilicon enables customers to produce high-tech electronics and solar energy, and our efficient manufacturing process delivers products with an ultra-low-carbon footprint. HSC began operations in 1961.
NOVI Energy is an energy consulting and energy infrastructure project development company established in 2002. They support utility, industrial, commercial, institutional, and governmental customers in the development and implementation of their short and long-term energy strategies. Their professionals have extensive knowledge in all areas of the energy value chain from production to consumption, and functional expertise in engineering, fuel, power, energy management, finance, and risk management. NOVI has substantial experience in conceptualizing, designing, and managing all aspects of construction through achieving commercial operations, asset management, and ownership of small to large scale power generation facilities using renewable, conventional, and other innovative technologies. They have provided a full range of power project development services, conducted feasibility analyses for their clients and themselves worldwide, and evaluated energy systems that use a range of fuel sources and technologies including solar, energy storage, wind, high-efficiency combined heat and power (CHP) facilities, natural gas-fueled simple and combined cycle turbines, biomass, biogas, and run-of-river hydro. NOVI’s current development portfolio of more than a billion dollars, includes large energy storage systems, utility scale solar PV systems including systems with battery-based energy storage, and natural gas fired combined-cycle and high efficiency CHP facilities. Their experience in the energy industry includes fuel sourcing, site acquisition, design, financing, permitting, construction, and operations of energy facilities. NOVI Energy has well over 100 years of collective experience in development, design, construction, and ownership of small to large-scale power and energy generation facilities utilizing both conventional and renewable fuel technologies.
RWE Clean Energy
RWE Renewables 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 more than 5GW of renewables under operation, more than $7 billion in assets, and more than 700 employees across the U.S., RWE Renewables is committed to building the future with our energy for a sustainable life.
Shell Recharge Solutions
Together with Shell and other collaborators, Shell Recharge Solutions is powering the transformation to electric mobility to create a more sustainable future. Shell Recharge Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shell New Energies, is a leading provider of open standards-based technology solutions for electric vehicle (EV) networks and grid management. Based in Los Angeles, Shell Recharge has deployed charging networks for some of the world’s largest automakers, utilities, fleet owners and cities. Combining an award-winning software platform with a suite of services to support EV infrastructure deployment, Shell Recharge has scaled its flexible, smart charging solutions in various applications including utility programs, fleet charging and public DC fast charging. Shell Recharge is excited to help support and accelerate the growth of electric vehicles in Michigan.
Michigan Energy News
- Michigan Radio talks to Dr. Sherman about the bills just introduced to the House that would provide rebates for rooftop solar and home battery storage systems.
- U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said Michigan is a “hotbed” for clean energy technologies in comments at the Detroit Free Press “Breakfast Club” speaker series
- ”When you start to look at a way to allow consumers to take some control back for themselves, it empowers them and it empowers our economy. And so I want to do what I can to promote that,” state Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) says about his recently-introduced community solar legislation.
- Consumers Energy opens a new training facility for natural gas workers in Flint.
- The House votes to repeal a sunset provision for the Energy Assistance Program that helps low-income utility customers.
National Energy News
- The Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office offers a $9.2 billion loan to BlueOval SK, a joint venture of Ford and South Korea–based battery maker SK On, for EV battery manufacturing facilities in Kentucky and Tennessee.
- A growing number of companies agree that there should be hourly energy matching requirements to receive hydrogen tax credits created by the IRA, Utility Dive reports.
- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission authorizes the start-up of the country’s first high-assay low-enriched uranium enrichment facility, a key milestone in producing the fuel needed for advanced power reactors.
- A $5.5 million affordable housing development in Minnesota is challenging the idea that sustainability and affordability are mutually exclusive, Energy News Network reports.
- Last year set a record for conventional generation outages, according to the North American Reliability Corporation.
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.
AES
Stakeholder Relations Intern. Location: Remote.
The Stakeholder Relations Intern will work within AES Clean Energy’s Stakeholder Relations team in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, and many other MISO & ERCOT territory states. This is an exciting opportunity to learn and apply industry-leading engagement strategies to empower communities and advance a carbon-free future. This role will support AES’ strategic renewable energy related stakeholder engagement from drafting communications and collateral materials to strategic planning, social impact development, and local community engagement. This role will report to the Manager of Stakeholder Relations MISO & ERCOT and is an excellent opportunity for someone who is planning a career in the renewable energy industry.
Michigan and National Energy Events
On July 18-20, PlugVolt will be hosting Battery Seminar 2023 in Plymouth, Mich., featuring an entire day of in-depth technical tutorials on cutting-edge battery research presented by industry subject matter experts and world renowned professors from Top 50 U.S. Universities. The next two days will include complementary industry updates provided by speakers from Automotive and Grid Storage OEMs, major battery manufacturers and global Tier 1 system developers and suppliers. Attendees will also get an exclusive opportunity to tour INTERTEK Battery Testing Center of Excellence in Plymouth, MI (USA) firsthand, ask questions to resident experts, and enjoy some light appetizers and beverages while networking with industry peers. Register here.
Save the dates Aug. 6-9 for the Mid-America Regulatory Conference (MARC) Annual Meeting at the JW Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids.
Opportunities
The Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity (LEO) has two job openings: Director of Mobility Policy, who will be an advisor to LEO and serve as the lead policy staffer for the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, and Policy Director, who will cover a broad portfolio of issues across the entire department including workforce development, economic mobility and workplace rights and safety.
Organizations currently have the opportunity to work with a grad student from the University of Michigan School for Environment & Sustainability (SEAS) for their Master’s Projects. In these projects, “students work on research teams with client organizations and faculty advisors to address complex environmental issues and design innovative, impactful products,” according to SEAS. Learn more here. Proposals for projects are due by September.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to expand the weatherization assistance program utilizing bipartisan infrastructure law funding for multi-family dwellings. The five-month award begins on May 1 and ends Sept. 30, 2023, with the total available amount being $1 million dollars. Successful applicants may be awarded funding annually through at least Sept. 30, 2028, based upon funding availability and acceptable performance. For more information or to apply, visit the EGrAMS website.
Consumers Energy Company has announced it will seek competitive bids in response to a RFP from participants in the MISO Energy Market in accordance with the Company’s expansion of the Voluntary Green Pricing (“VGP”) Program. With this RFP, Consumers Energy will solicit proposals for solar and wind generation projects, separate and distinct from the ongoing Consumers Energy 2022 IRP RFP for solar generation projects. RFP documents are available here and applications are due June 30.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Buildings Upgrade Prize (Buildings UP) is offering more than $22 million in cash prizes and technical assistance to teams across America with winning ideas to accelerate widespread, equitable energy efficiency and building electrification upgrades. Follow Buildings UP on HeroX.com for all prize-related updates. Phase 1 submissions are due by July 18.