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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:

Source: MDOT.

NEVI Awards Announced for EV Chargers Across the State

The Michigan Department of Transportation recently announced the potential EV charging sites that have won funding in Round 1 of the Design-Build-Operate Maintain Project, which is partially funded by the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Winning sites include several from Michigan EIBC members: Michigan EIBC member FLO won $492,768 for a project near Ludington and Michigan EIBC member EVgo won $718,654 for a project near Grand Rapids and $717,402 for another near Portage.

In 2022 the State of Michigan submitted a plan, later approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation, to install chargers at at least 50-mile intervals along each of the state’s designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs).

“A typical NEVI site includes a minimum of four network-connected direct current 150-kW charging ports capable of simultaneously and continuously charging four EVs, located within one mile driving distance of a Michigan AFC, and available for use by the public,” according to MDOT.

Profile of Leadership Council Member Invenergy and its Work in Michigan

Michigan EIBC announced a new leadership council at the beginning of the year, and throughout 2024 we will be profiling many of the member companies that make up our leadership council, starting today with Invenergy, LLC.

In Michigan, Invenergy has extensive experience developing and operating wind and solar facilities. Invenergy has completed the development on seven sustainable energy projects that are now operating throughout the state in Gratiot, Calhoun, Isabella, Heartland and Hillsdale counties. To date, those investments have translated to major clean energy, revenues, and jobs for the state:

1,108 megawatts in carbon-free generation capacity,
$12.4 million in annual land lease payments directly to Michigan landowners,
$1.4 million in annual local tax payments, and
12 full-time operations staff at the two projects Invenergy continues to own who earn more than $1 million in annual wages and benefits.

Throughout 2024, the company will continue development on a significant portfolio of late and early-stage wind, solar, and storage projects. The development team looks forward to continuing engagement with landowners and community leaders throughout the state of Michigan. The government affairs and regulatory teams (with the leadership of Michigan EIBC!) will keep an eye on the implementation of the clean energy package in Lansing, particularly the siting reform in PA 233, to ensure landowners who make the choice to partner with Invenergy are provided a clear path forward.

Michigan, particularly in the 2023 legislative session, has taken major strides to attract innovative energy solutions to the state. Invenergy would not be active in Michigan if it were not for the support of landowners throughout the state who chose to exercise their private property rights through voluntary land leases. Michigan EIBC’s leadership to support a more consistent renewable permitting policy in Michigan protects future landowners who will make this same choice.

Keynote Speaker Announced for 12th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference in East Lansing on April 24

Registration is now open for Michigan EIBC’s most popular event of the year! Our 12th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference will be held April 24 at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in East Lansing. Get your tickets now!

For information on sponsorship opportunities and benefits, please click here or contact Brianna Gerard at brianna@mieibc.org.

Paula R. Glover is the President of the Alliance to Save Energy, a bipartisan, nonprofit coalition that promotes federal energy efficiency policy. Throughout her tenure, she has played a crucial role in advancing key policies such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act while securing billions in federal funding for energy efficiency programs. Ms. Glover has also expanded the Alliance’s focus on energy justice and the development of next-generation technologies through the Active Efficiency Collaborative and the Energy 2040 Initiative. Before her tenure at the Alliance, Ms. Glover acted as President and CEO of the American Association of Blacks in Energy, advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in energy policy discussions. Additionally, she serves on the boards of Talos Energy, the Keystone Policy Center, Clean Energy Works, and Resources for the Future, as well as holding a position on the National Petroleum Council since 2014 and acting as Trustee for Cardigan Mountain School. With 25 years of experience, Ms. Glover is passionate about realizing an energy-efficient future by leading the Alliance to Save Energy and its diverse political, corporate, and academic membership.

Thank you sponsors!

TETRAWATT

GIGAWATT

MEGAWATT

KILOWATT

THE WATT

Michigan Energy News

Michigan Advance covers the group of organizations, including Michigan EIBC, that have come together to publicly oppose the proposed ballot initiative to eliminate the siting law.
“As we transition to cleaner energy, we have a unique opportunity to invest in [low-income and Black and Brown communities], correcting longstanding underinvestment and ensuring the benefits of this transition reach those who need it most,” writes state Rep. Jason Morgan in the Detroit News.
A Corning Inc. subsidiary plans to build a factory making solar components, sited next to facilities of Michigan EIBC member Hemlock Semiconductor.
DTE opens bidding for its RFP related to its CleanVision Integrated Resource Plan.
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority awards $7.4 million in grants to organizations for home energy efficiency.

National Energy News

The pace of wind installations since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act is lagging what was projected due to the effects of the IRA, according to a report from Energy Innovation, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Rhodium Group.
President Biden names three nominees to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The federally-funded Solar for All competitive grant program could benefit over 700,000 low-income households across the country, according to an analysis from Clean Energy States Alliance.
Nearly 30 start-ups are trying to unlock the potential of thermal storage, Canary Media reports.
New research pinpoints exactly how melting Arctic ice is contributing to extreme summer weather in Europe.

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.

5 Lakes Energy

Summer Intern. Location: Remote.

5 Lakes Energy is looking for flexible and self-motivated interns at the advanced undergraduate or graduate level interested in climate and energy policy. 5LE’s work is rooted in quantitative analysis, and applicants should expect that most projects will require some degree of technical analysis, with Excel as our primary analytical tool.

This year, 5LE is offering 3 opportunities –

Building a Year-long Hourly Power Demand Forecast to Support Widespread Electrification of Michigan’s Manufacturers mentored by Elizabeth Boatman, Ph.D., Consultant
Public Sector Clean Energy Research Assistant mentored by Rick Bunch, Senior Consultant
Developing a Python-based Integrated Resource Planning Model mentored by Eli Gold, Senior Consultant

To learn more about these opportunities and to apply, please review the information in this document.

Elevate

Senior Associate, Impact Capital. Location: Chicago, Ill.

The Senior Associate, Impact Capital is an integral part of the Elevate’s Impact Capital team working to pilot and scale financial tools that support Elevate’s work to advance equity through climate action. As part of the Impact Capital team, the Senior Associate, Impact Capital is responsible for identifying and building relationships with potential borrowers for loan products, providing excellent customer service while supporting applicants through the underwriting process and assisting with loan closings. Additionally, the Senior Associate will assist in implementing the infrastructure and systems needed to support growth and program expansion over the next few years. The ideal candidate for this dynamic position excels at outreach, likes to create and improve processes, is very detail oriented, has experience or is interested in learning about financial statements, and is comfortable with iterative processes.

Grants Administrator. Location: Chicago. Ill.

Our Grants and Contracts team has an opening! Do you, or someone you know, have a minimum of three (3+) years of progressively responsible, relevant experience in accounting and grants administration? The Grants Administrator supports Elevate’s existing programs and expansion of new business development opportunities by managing compliance and accounting of Elevate’s grants, awards, and contracts. The Grants Administrator provides fiscal and accounting support to ensure proper use and reporting, budgeting, and billing of grants (including federal), cooperative agreements, and contracts. The position works closely with Elevate’s program managers, development, legal, and the finance and accounting team.

Michigan and National Energy Events

Join the Michigan Sustainable Business Forum and Michigan EIBC for a public convening on the Recycling and Reuse of Photovoltaic Solar Panels in Michigan on March 26 in Lansing. Register here.

Michigan EIBC’s 12th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference will be held April 24 at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in East Lansing. Get your tickets now!

Opportunities

The Michigan Public Service Commission has created a website tracking its progress implementing Public Acts 229, 231, 233, 234, and 235, passed on Nov. 8, 2023 and signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Nov. 28.

The MPSC has posted for public review all the applications it has received in response to a request for proposals for funding through a renewable energy and electrification infrastructure enhancement and development grant program.The final deadline for proposals is April 29.

Invest In Our Future is hiring for several positions, including a Program Manager with regional connections in the Midwest.

Climate Power is hiring a Michigan States Desk temporary position. This is a remote, temporary position to support work through the election cycle “to drive the narrative on how the Inflation Reduction Act and the clean energy boom are benefiting residents.” Find out more here.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is hiring an Engineer in its Energy & Recycling Section. Find out more here.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office has issued a funding opportunity announcement for concentrating solar power and photovoltaic. The final deadline is March 6. Learn more here.

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.

Michigan 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.

On April 9, DTE is tentatively planning to issue an All Source Renewable Energy RFP. Email All_Source_Renewables_RFP_Account@dteenergy.com for more information.

The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a funding opportunity announcement for grants to “fund research, development, and prototype or pilot scale technology validation and demonstration activities that will accelerate the development and adoption of sustainable technologies that increase efficiency and eliminate industrial GHG emissions for the most energy- and emissions- intensive industrial subsectors.” The deadline is June 11. Learn more here,

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