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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:

A still frame from the video showing Beal City Public Schools in Isabella County.

Video Shows Benefits of Clean Energy in Rural Michigan Communities

A recently released video shows the positive impacts of clean energy in Michigan communities. The video features a conversation with William C. Chilman IV, who recently concluded a 17-year tenure as superintendent of Beal City Public Schools in Isabella County, home to the 383-MW Isabella Wind project, developed by Michigan EIBC member Apex Clean Energy.

“Isabella Wind has helped generate millions of dollars for the schools and other governmental agencies throughout Isabella County,” Chilman says in the video. “Our mission is Beal City students and providing a world-class education for them in a world-class facility. This helped us do that.”

More localities are going to be able to reap similar benefits with the passage of the renewable energy siting law that was part of the broader clean energy package passed last year. The law stands to remove hurdles to the siting approval process by certifying the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to approve significant clean energy projects, while also considering local input. The MPSC recently began the process of implementing the law, including holding public hearings. On March 7, the MPSC held a Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Siting Implementation Workshop that featured Dr. Sarah Mills, Director of the Center for EmPowering Communities at the Graham Sustainability Institute at the University of Michigan, and others discussing the law and local siting issues.

Consumers Energy Rate Case Final Decision Includes Provisions on Demand Response and Charging Station Capacity Maps

On March 1, the MPSC approved a rate increase for Consumers Energy’s electric customers of $92 million, which was 57% lower than the amount initially requested by the utility.

In its order, the MPSC supported several of the arguments made by testimony from Michigan EIBC, Institute for Energy Innovation and Advanced Energy United about changes to Consumers Energy’s EV charger rebate program, fleet electrification program and demand response tariff.

Regarding demand response, our testimony had argued that the utility’s tariff should include language that explicitly clarifies that customers are eligible to participate in wholesale demand response with third-party aggregators of retail customers (ARCs), thus allowing customers to take advantage of innovative ways to economically reduce their energy consumption. The MPSC’s order directed Consumers Energy to work with the MPSC staff on language for the tariff that would clarify customers’ abilities to choose ARCs.

The MPSC also approved changes to Consumers Energy’s PowerMIDrive EV charger rebate program and its PowerMIFleet commercial fleet electrification program. But the MPSC added a suggestion that was made by our testimony: a requirement that the utility must provide improved online load carrying capacity maps that third-party developers can consult to determine the best location for charging station hubs.

Join Us For Convening On Solar Panel Recycling in Lansing on March 26

Join the Michigan Sustainable Business Forum and the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council for a public convening to discuss the recycling and reuse of solar panels in Lansing on March 26! Register for this free event here.

Millions of solar panels will be installed over the next two decades in Michigan in pursuit of the MI Healthy Climate Plan and public and private sector renewable energy commitments. This convening will introduce resources for recycling and reuse of solar components, discuss common materials and manufacturing processes, and highlight opportunities to proactively address the issue through sustainability practices, new investment, and public policy.

Breakout Panel Announced for 12th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference in East Lansing on April 24

Registration is 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.

We have announced our first breakout panel for the conference:

We have also announced the keynote speaker:

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

New Member

Generac
Generac is a leading energy technology solutions company that provides backup and prime power generation systems for residential and commercial & industrial (C&I) applications, solar + battery storage solutions, energy management devices and controls, advanced power grid software platforms & services, and engine- & battery-powered tools and equipment. As an energy technology solutions provider that is “Powering a Smarter World”, the Company’s purpose is to lead the evolution to more resilient, efficient, and sustainable energy solutions around the world.

Renewing Member

Pivot Energy

Pivot Energy is a Denver-based solar energy company that is focused on helping accelerate the rapid transition taking place in the energy industry toward power generation that is cleaner, and more decentralized. Pivot offers a distributed energy platform that includes a range of services and software aimed at serving the full commercial solar ecosystem, including retail customers, project developers, system operators, utilities, and financiers. The company develops, finances, builds, and manages community and commercial solar projects around the country. Pivot operates on a triple bottom line basis, measuring success by the positive impact to people, planet, and profit. Learn more at pivotenergy.net.

Michigan Energy News

The MPSC approves a plan for Consumers Energy to bury 10 miles of power lines in six counties.
A bill introduced by state Rep. Dylan Wegela (D-Garden City) would bar state-regulated utilities from making donations to political nonprofits or political action committees.
The MPSC releases its 2023 Annual Report.

National Energy News

Some stakeholders question whether Tranche 2 of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MISO) transmission line buildout is big enough for the amount of transmission capacity needed to reduce wind energy curtailment and other issues.
Texas regulators are looking at how to attract small modular nuclear reactors to the state.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission kicks off a six-month process of revising its rules to remove potential regulatory barriers to advanced reactors, including small modular reactors.
An initiative in Georgia to allow for more community solar is facing pushback from the utility Georgia Power.
A bill introduced to the New Hampshire legislature looks to tackle interconnection delays and streamline the process for connecting solar projects to the grid.

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 Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (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 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 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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