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July 29, 2024

Newsletter: Renewables Ready Communities, Walker-Miller Energy Video 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:

     

     

    New EPA Funding to Expand Michigan EGLE’s Renewable Ready Communities Program

    Earlier this week, 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, a sum that will allow the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to expand Renewables Ready Communities, a program to provide incentives to communities that host utility-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects.

    The 2024 state budget established Renewables Ready Communities as a pilot initiative with $30 million with a maximum of $3 million for a single project. Since earlier this year and through September 30, Michigan communities have been able to apply for the program with a partnering renewable energy developer. To be eligible, communities have to both physically host and perform local permitting for any portion of a project on or after Oct. 1, 2023.

    The new funding will expand Renewables Ready Communities and also allow EGLE to develop a strategic plan for the program so it can better work toward the state’s 60% renewable energy by 2030 goals, according to a statement from the Whitmer administration. Other uses for the funding will be creating a Brownfield Renewable Energy Pilot program, strengthening EGLE’s Renewable Energy Academy and supporting workforce development programs in coordination with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

    “Thanks to our congressional delegation and the Biden-Harris administration’s investment in Michigan, we are ready to launch the Renewables Ready Communities Program to meet our renewable energy and MI Healthy Climate Plan goals,” Gov. Whitmer said in the statement. “Together, we can install more solar panels and wind turbines using well-paid American workers. We can make clean, reliable energy right here in America while lowering costs and keeping our natural resources safe for future generations. Together, let’s keep leading the future of clean energy manufacturing and move towards our goal of 100% clean energy by 2040.”

     

    Source: Evergreen Action.

    Video Shows Workforce Development Successes for Walker-Miller Energy

    Evergreen Action has released a short documentary video showing the on-the-ground success of federal and state clean energy policies through the story of one Detroit home energy assessor who is a recent graduate of Michigan EIBC member Walker-Miller Energy Services’ workforce development program.

    “I can’t ask for a better job,” Alijah Thomas, born and raised in Detroit and now helping residents of his city figure out ways to reduce their utility bills and improve their energy efficiency, says in the video. “I get up every morning Monday through Friday with a smile on my face knowing I am going to go change somebody’s life.” Alijah graduated from Walker-Miller’s energy efficiency academy.

    The company’s ability to run these workforce development programs has been aided by federal and state legislation. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act’s Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Credit and Home Energy Rebate Program have driven up demand for Walker-Miller’s services retrofitting homes, Evergreen Action explains in a post on its website accompanying the video.

    “The economy we are creating right now is the most inclusive and the most equitable not just by happenstance but by design,” Walker-Miller Founder and CEO Carla Walker-Miller says in the video. “I will challenge anyone to find legislation that is more inclusive than the recent legislation that has been passed.”

     



    Registration Open 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!

    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

    Elizabeth Mitchell, LLC
    Law firm specializing in renewable energy development. Elizabeth’s practice is focused in the areas of renewable energy, construction, and commercial law. She has broad experience in all aspects of solar and energy storage development, including financing, procurement, construction, and insurance matters. With a background in construction litigation and as an in-house attorney for large developers, Elizabeth is able to offer practical business counseling based on real world experience.


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    Michigan Energy News

    • Michigan Public talks to Milan Township farmland owner Clara Ostrander about her fight to be able to lease her land for renewable energy.
    • Ann Arbor residents and businesses could save money through the creation of the proposed sustainable energy utility that is on the ballot in November, according to a report commissioned by the city.
    • Michigan EIBC Policy Principal Sophia Schuster is quoted as saying that $650 million from the Inflation Reduction Act for EV manufacturing will help Michigan fight the “brain drain.”
    • Consumers Energy will perform upgrades at one of its hydroelectric dams in Newaygo County beginning in 2025.

    National Energy News

    • Commissioners from 14 states plus DC support FERC’s recent transmission rule.
    • Over 600 New York City facilities are pledging to reduce their energy by 122 MW through demand response.
    • There is a debate going on in Minnesota about what energy sources should be considered “carbon-free” under state regulations.
    • A new startup, the Nuclear Company, aims to deploy 6 GW of nuclear reactors by the mid-2030s.

    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

    Diversity, Racial Equity, and Inclusion Lead. Location: Chicago.
    The Diversity, Racial Equity, and Inclusion (DREI) Lead is responsible for the development and implementation (integration) of initiatives that promote diversity, racial equity, and inclusion (DREI) aligning with Elevate’s core vision, mission, values, and goals. The DREI Lead will work closely with the DREI support team and others, as needed, to ensure integration of DREI principles throughout Elevate programs, processes and practices, execute on strategic priorities, and drive successful outcomes. This Lead will serve as the subject matter expert on DREI and provide vision, expertise, and counsel on matters of diversity initiatives, strategic planning, education and research, and program implementation.

     

    Michigan and National Energy Events

    On Aug. 3, the Michigan Electric Vehicle Alliance is holding the Clean Cruise, an organized EV cruise on Woodward Avenue in Ferndale. Find out more information here.

    The 12th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala will be held in Detroit on Sept. 25. Tickets are available 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.

    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.

    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.