Recent Posts
Blog Categories
- Newsletter (424)
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:
Michigan Is Part of National Push To Overcome Local Opposition to Renewable Energy
A recent article in Utility Dive cites the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Renewables Ready Communities as an example of a “carrot” model to overcome local opposition that often blocks new utility-scale renewable energy projects.
“Lawmakers in Michigan, New York, Illinois and other states with 100% carbon-free electricity goals are pushing back with policies that centralize renewables permitting at the state level, provide financial incentives for more permissive local ordinances, or both,” the article says. Michigan’s program is an example of an approach that emphasizes financial incentives, offering up to $5,000 per MW for local governments that permit and physically host utility-scale renewable energy projects.
While the program is new, it is already having a positive effect. The article quotes Hayes Framme of Michigan EIBC member Ørsted, who said that thanks to Renewables Ready Communities, “Michigan [is now] one of Ørsted’s high-priority states.” The article also quotes Apex Clean Energy Senior Director of Government Affairs Chris Kunkle about policies in Illinois.
The 2024 state budget established Renewables Ready Communities as a pilot initiative, and earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the state of Michigan $129.1 million from the Inflation Reduction Act’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program to allow it to expand Renewables Ready Communities.
EV Grants Coming For Detroit and Ann Arbor
The cities of Detroit and Ann Arbor are receiving over $23 million and $2.8 million, respectively, in grants for EV chargers from the latest round of awards from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program.
The CFI program, created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to spend $521 million to build 9,200 EV charging ports around the country.
Detroit is getting “$14.2 million to deploy EV charging stations at 14 key community-based locations including community parks, public parking lots, and curbside charging in areas where offsite or home charging is not possible,” according to the DOT. Another grant will give Detroit nearly $9.2 million to deploy EV charging stations at five locations near Interstates 75 and 96.
Ann Arbor, meanwhile, is getting $2.8 million “to install 48 publicly available EV chargers across the city and close gaps in EV charging infrastructure, specifically in low-income areas.”
Register for 12th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala
Michigan EIBC is excited to welcome our members, Michigan legislators and state officials, and the general public to our 12th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala on September 25th at The Gem Theatre in Detroit. Register now for one of our most popular events!
The keynote speaker will be Amalgamated Bank Director of Climate Banking Nicole Steele, a nationally recognized leader and expert with over 20 years’ experience in clean energy, focusing on equitable deployment and workforce development. She recently joined Amalgamated Bank as the Director of Climate Banking where she will lead the bank’s efforts to execute on the potential of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). Prior to joining Amalgamated, she was instrumental in the development of the GGRF programs including the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF), Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA), and Solar for All (SFA) at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and worked in partnership with the U.S. Treasury on the Inflation Reduction Act’s solar tax credits including the Low-Income Communities Bonus Tax Credit.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please reach out to Brianna. You can view the available sponsorship levels and benefits here. Please note that the Watt level is sold out. And thank you to our current sponsors, whose generosity helps to make our annual gala a huge success!
TERAWATT SPONSOR
GIGAWATT SPONSOR
MEGAWATT SPONSORS
KILOWATT SPONSORS
WATT SPONSORS
New Member
A renewable energy company which provides infrastructure for EV charging stations and solar technologies commercial and residential energy efficiency.
Michigan Energy News
- The Michigan rate case process is “infuriating,” Detroit Free Press columnist Khalil AlHajal reports.
- The Michigan Public Service Commission is taking a special look at achieving a clean energy transition in the Upper Peninsula, Interlochen Public Radio reports.
- Planned transmission lines in Michigan are experiencing local opposition.
National Energy News
- Michigan EIBC member Meta strikes an agreement with startup Sage Geosystems for 150 MW of geothermal power for Meta’s data centers starting in 2027.
- The U.S. Department of Energy announces $66 million in awards for energy efficiency projects.
- Environmental groups are suing the state of Maine for failing to adopt mandates for the number of EVs.
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.
Elevate
Senior Director, Policy (Federal). Location: Chicago.
The Senior Director, Policy (Federal) supports Elevate’s mission by ensuring its mission and strategies are well-represented in the federal policy environment and brings Elevate’s expertise to federal policy actions. The Sr. Director, Policy (Federal) leads Elevate’s federal policy initiatives and advocacy efforts and collaborates with the Policy Team to inform integration of those efforts at the state and local levels; ensuring the furtherance of Elevate’s mission to advance clean, affordable energy, and water at the intersection of racial economic justice. The Sr. Director, Federal Policy is a newly created position and is responsible for furthering Elevate’s leadership and effectiveness in the federal space, creating opportunities to partner with, and is responsive to the needs of environmental justice and other historically underserved populations and communities. The Sr. Director, Federal Policy keeps Elevate staff, partners, stakeholders, and the broader policy ecosystem informed on relevant federal initiatives. The position represents Elevate in key White House and federal department initiatives and leads and serves on working groups, advisory groups, and other relevant federal policy forums.
Pivot Energy
Manager, Project Development – Execution. Location: Ohio/Pittsburgh/Chicago/Detroit/Remote.
The Manager, Project Development will be involved in site diligence and project development efforts. The Manager will also manage third-party contractors, prepare and execute land use permits, plan, organize, and lead public outreach, and represent Pivot at land use hearings. The individual will support ongoing site development efforts, assess solar sites for critical issues related to project development, and create and secure land lease amendments with landowners for solar development.
Michigan Public Service Commission
Departmental Analyst Trainee. Location: Lansing.
This position serves as a case coordinator and contact person for renewable energy and energy storage siting (RESS) applications filed, complaint cases, or other cases related to renewable energy facility siting and Public Act 233 of 2023. Work as part of a team at times analyzing the evidence submitted by siting applicants to determine if they meet the laws, rules and Commission order guidelines for renewable energy and energy storage facility siting. Provide witness testimony as directed. Support the assigned attorney in the preparation of briefs, reply briefs, and replies on siting issues that may arise in administrative proceedings before the Commission. Attend meetings with the public, local units of government, siting applicants, contractors, and interested parties related to facility siting. Participate in the development of request for proposals to solicit bids from contractors to support the review of siting applications as needed. Coordinate the work of external contractors as needed. Provide information needed for the renewable energy and energy storage facility decommissioning financial assurance process and siting application fee calculation. Ensure applicants have complied with Commission orders related to siting through inquiries, the review of reports and data submitted, complaints, and meetings with internal and external parties.
Public Utilities Engineer. Location: Lansing.
This position serves as an engineer reviewing and analyzing applications for renewable energy and energy storage siting cases, contested complaint cases, or other cases related to renewable energy facility siting and Public Act 233 of 2023. Work independently at times and as part of a team at times analyzing the evidence submitted by siting applicants to determine if they meet the laws, rules, specifications, and Commission order guidelines for renewable energy and energy storage facility siting. Provide Staff recommendations to management and contributing witness testimony on technical matters in siting cases as directed. Technical matters in siting cases include site plans, decommissioning plans, decommissioning agreements, sound modeling studies, glare studies, construction plans, environmental, health, and safety impacts, alternatives analyses, impacts on land use, and other matters as directed. Support the assigned attorney in the preparation of briefs, reply briefs, and replies on siting issues that may arise in judicial proceedings before the Commission. Represent the Commission in meetings with the public, local units of government, siting applicants, contractors, and interested parties related to facility siting. Participate with the development of request for proposals to solicit bids from contractors to support with the review of siting applications as needed. Coordinate the work of external contractors as needed. Ensure applicants have complied with Commission orders related to siting through inquiries, site visits, inspections, the review of reports and data submitted, complaints, and meetings with internal and external parties. Advise management on steps to ensure facilities remain in compliance with Commission orders.
Walker-Miller Energy Services
Program Manager. Location: Detroit
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Program Manager to lead a large-scale, high-profile residential energy efficiency and electrification program in Michigan. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 4 of experience in program management, a deep understanding of energy efficiency for both residential and multi-family sectors, and experience within electrification. This role requires strong leadership, excellent client interfacing skills, and the ability to manage diverse stakeholders effectively.
Outreach Manager. Location: Detroit.
We are seeking an experienced Outreach Manager to lead the outreach and engagement for a large-scale residential energy efficiency program in Michigan. The ideal candidate will have at least 3-5 years of outreach experience and a strong understanding of energy efficiency for residential and multi-family sectors. This role requires significant experience in outreach and engagement, and managing campaigns, with diverse stakeholders.
Field Operations Manager. Location: Detroit.
We are seeking an experienced Field Operations Manager to lead the field team and activities for a large-scale residential energy efficiency program in Michigan. The ideal candidate will have at least 3-5 years of experience in managing a field team and a strong understanding of energy efficiency for residential and multi-family sectors. This role requires significant experience in home and building assessments, quality assurance and quality control processes, and supervising a field team.
Michigan and National Energy Events
The RECESS24 National Black and Brown Clean Energy Summit will be held in Detroit on Sep. 9 to 11. Find more information here.
The 12th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala will be held in Detroit on Sept. 25. Tickets are available now.
The C3 Summit, sponsored by Michigan EIBC member Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan EGLE, Breakthrough Energy Fellows and American Made Challenge, will be held in Novi on Oct. 1. Find out more here.
The State of Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility & Electrification (OFME) is hosting the MI Future Mobility Conference in Detroit on Oct. 24. Register to attend here.
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 Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) has issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) for “up to $400 million to spur innovative, community-focused clean energy solutions in rural and remote areas across the United States.” The related Notice of Funding Opportunity is expected to be released in the fall of 2024. Find out more here.
The federal Joint Office of Energy and Transportation has extended the deadline for applications to the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program Round 2 Notice of Funding Opportunity to Sept. 11.
Michigan EGLE is launching the Renewables Ready Communities Award (RRCA), which makes Michigan municipalities that have, on or after October 1, 2023, begun physically hosting and performing local permitting for any portion of an eligible renewable energy project eligible for awards of $5,000 per MW. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until Sept. 30. More information on this opportunity can be found on the RRCA Webpage.
The U.S. Department of Energy has launched the Innovative Queue Management Solutions (iQMS) for Clean Energy Interconnection and Energization program that “will award $11.2 million across 25 distribution utilities for innovative approaches that can accelerate timelines for clean energy and EV charging projects.” Applications are due Oct. 16.
Michigan EGLE is offering at least $320,000 in funding MI Solar Communities-MI Solar Access Program. Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2025, or when funding is expended, whichever comes first. Find the request for proposals for MI Solar Access here.
Michigan EGLE has released an RFP for grants from its Clean Energy Workforce Development Program. The application deadline is July 30, 2025.