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Advanced clean energy businesses: Reject ballot proposal

Posted by Rory Coleman on Jan 22, 2024

Michigan’s clean energy law will create jobs, support local communities for generations

LANSING, Mich. – A proposed ballot initiative to repeal how clean energy is sited in Michigan communities would harm job creation, farm income, protections for workers and critical revenue for local governments, the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council and Advanced Energy United said today as the Board of State Canvassers met on the matter. 

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Topics: State Policy, Press Releases, Michigan, Trish Demeter

Clean energy bill package advances in Michigan Legislature, would streamline siting process

Posted by Adam Winer on Nov 3, 2023

Business trade organizations applaud House passage of House Bills 5120-5123 and Senate Bills 271, 273, and 502
 

LANSING, MI – Advanced energy industry groups, including the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC), Clean Grid Alliance (CGA), American Clean Power Association (ACP), Advanced Energy United (United), and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today applauded the House passage of legislation to streamline and improve the siting of wind, solar, and energy storage projects (House Bills 5120-5123) as well as bills to set a 100% carbon-free energy standard by 2040, enact an energy storage requirement, increase energy waste reduction, and improve customer access to rooftop (Senate Bills 271, 273, and 502). The trade organizations, which collectively represent hundreds of businesses in the clean power industry, urged the legislature to continue to move these legislative packages to the Governor’s desk for signature.

In order for Michigan to achieve our expanded clean energy goals, House Bills 5120-5123 establish a common sense process that balances local government involvement with the expertise at the Michigan Public Service Commission to make decisions regarding large utility-scale wind, solar, and energy storage projects. The bills also ensure that the benefits from projects flow to local communities, construction workers will be paid prevailing wages, and environmental protections will be upheld. This legislation will allow farmers with farmland that has been in their family for generations to keep that land and gain a new source of income. Combined with Senate Bills 271, 273, and 502, which expand renewable energy, energy storage, energy efficiency, and access to rooftop solar, this legislation will create jobs and economic opportunity across Michigan. 

“The clean energy industry employs nearly 124,000 Michiganders – which is more than in any other state in the Midwest,” said Dr. Laura Sherman, President of Michigan EIBC. “Michigan EIBC applauds the House passage of this legislation, which will support our growing advanced energy workforce and communities across Michigan.”

“These legislative packages offer solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing the energy transition,” said Trish Demeter, Managing Director with Advanced Energy United. “With a 100% clean energy goal, and reduced barriers to building wind, solar and energy storage projects, Michigan affirms its place as a leader in the clean energy economy.”

“I congratulate the House of Representatives for displaying strong leadership on climate and clean energy by passing this package of bills,” said Peder Mewis, Regional Policy Director with CGA. “Reforming the siting and permitting process will offer a clear path forward for renewable energy development and ensure Michigan can achieve a carbon free future.”

“The leadership shown by the Michigan House of Representatives on these critical issues can serve as a model for lawmakers in other states as they seek to deliver the valuable new jobs, tax revenue and investment that clean energy can bring,” said Erika Kowall, Director of Midwest State Affairs with the American Clean Power Association (ACP).

“This legislation marks a historic step forward for Michigan’s clean energy economy,” said Markus Pitchford, central regional director for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “The package will bring billions of dollars of investments and thousands of new jobs to the state — from project development and installation to manufacturing. It features provisions to support solar and storage projects of all sizes, including a significant boost to net metering caps for rooftop solar and siting and permitting reforms that are critical for large-scale solar and storage development. The solar and storage industry looks forward to working with the Whitmer administration, as well as state and local agencies, to implement this monumental law.”

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Topics: Press Releases, Michigan, Trish Demeter

Crain's Detroit Business: 100% Clean Power Standard Clears House in Marathon Session

Posted by Dave Eggert on Nov 3, 2023

Crain's Detroit Business reports on the passage of Michigan's sweeping climate bills mandating a 100% clean energy standard by 2040, quoting Trish Demeter on the Great Lake State's affirmation of its role as a clean energy leader.
 

Michigan power providers would have to reach a 100% clean energy standard by 2040 under sweeping climate bills approved late Thursday and early Friday in the Democratic-led House. Legislators also voted to let renewable developers seek state permits to site large-scale wind and solar farms in communities that block the projects.

The party-line votes capped a marathon day and night of session and likely cleared the legislation’s path to Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who wants lawmakers to act this fall. The Senate, also controlled by Democrats, passed the main measures last week and appears poised to OK the siting bills next week before legislators potentially adjourn for the year.

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Topics: United In The News, Michigan, Trish Demeter

Industry Groups Urge Swift Passage of Clean Energy Legislation in Michigan

Posted by Rory Coleman on Oct 13, 2023

Bills would streamline siting, set higher targets for renewable energy and energy storage  

LANSING, Mich. – Advanced energy industry groups, including the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC), American Clean Power Association (ACP), Advanced Energy United (United), and Clean Grid Alliance (CGA) today applauded the introduction of legislation to streamline and improve the siting of wind, solar, and energy storage projects. The trade organizations, which collectively represent hundreds of businesses in the clean power industry, urged the legislature to pass this legislation, HB 5120 - HB 5123, along with other key clean energy bills to set a 100% carbon-free energy standard by 2040, enact an energy storage target, increase energy waste reduction, and improve customer access to rooftop and community solar.

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Topics: Press Releases, Michigan

Consumers' Gas Investment Plans Threaten Skyrocketing Heating Bills, Stranded Infrastructure in Michigan

Posted by Rory Coleman on Sep 18, 2023

Report from Strategen Consulting and Advanced Energy United calls on Michigan decision-makers to study changing market conditions and cost-containment strategies for natural gas.

LANSING, MICHIGAN –Consumers Energy customers may see their gas bills increase up to 50% over the next decade according to a new report.

The report from Strategen Consulting analyzed Consumers’ 10-year Natural Gas Delivery Plan, warning that the utility’s $11 billion of planned infrastructure investments is unjustifiable and stems from faulty analysis and profit bias. The report estimates that the planned investments, coupled with conservative predictions for reduced gas demand from trends in electrification and energy efficiency, could cause the average residential bill to grow as high as $130 a month by 2030 – up from $75 in 2021.

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Topics: Press Releases, Michigan, Samarth Medakkar

Gov. Whitmer Calls for Permitting Reforms Alongside Clean Energy Standard, Other Climate Bills

Posted by Rory Coleman on Aug 30, 2023

Advanced Energy United applauds Governor Whitmer’s vision for achieving 100% clean energy by 2035

LANSING, MICHIGAN  In her “What’s Next Address,” Governor Whitmer named her clean energy priorities for the remainder of the legislative session, among them: reforms to permitting of large-scale renewable energy, a 100% clean energy standard, improvements to utility energy waste reduction programs, and authorization of the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to consider equity and climate in its regulation of utilities.

“From her implementation of the MI Healthy Climate Plan, to the huge investments in clean energy in the most recent state budget, and the onshoring of battery manufacturing, Governor Whitmer’s leadership on clean energy is undeniable,” said Samarth Medakkar, Policy Principal with Advanced Energy United. “We appreciate this comprehensive approach which not only sets ambitious targets for renewable power and energy efficiency, but also lays out practical reforms for permitting processes and regulatory oversight that will make those goals possible.”

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Topics: Press Releases, Michigan, Samarth Medakkar

Clean Energy Industry Applauds Cost Savings, Technological Innovation Elements in DTE Electric Settlement

Posted by Adam Winer on Jul 17, 2023

Stakeholders in Michigan worked with DTE Electric to accelerate retirement of coal-fired power plants to align with the Michigan Healthy Climate Plan's emissions reduction goals.

DETROIT, MI – Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC), Institute for Energy Innovation (IEI), Advanced Energy United, and Clean Grid Alliance, in addition to other parties, reached a settlement with DTE Electric (DTE) regarding its Integrated Resource Plan last week, leading to significant gains toward reducing emissions, expanding opportunities for advanced energy businesses and technologies, and fulfilling the goals of the Michigan Healthy Climate Plan. The settlement terms accelerate the retirement of the coal-fired Monroe Power Plant, as well as require DTE to pursue federal funding to offset and retire even more coal facilities. After the plan is approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission, the utility will be making major investments in new large-scale renewable energy projects within the next 20 years and developing battery storage capacity.  

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Topics: Press Releases, Michigan, Trish Demeter

Solar Industry Magazine: Michigan Budget Invests Big in Clean Energy Transition

Posted by Valerie Swiantek on Jul 3, 2023

Solar Industry Magazine reviews Michigan's fiscal year 2024 budget with significant allocations toward advanced energy technologies and greenhouse gas reductions, quoting Samarth Medakkar on how this will help boost the already-growing clean economy in the state.

The Michigan legislature passed a fiscal year 2024 budget which received bipartisan support and will go into effect immediately after approval from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The state budget makes key investments in infrastructure including advanced energy, which will add jobs to the state’s strong clean energy industry while improving grid resiliency, lowering energy bills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“This budget represents a historic investment in Michigan’s infrastructure and doubles down on the jobs that are part of the fastest growing industry sectors in the nation,” says Samarth Medakkar, Michigan state lead for Advanced Energy United, the national association of businesses working to achieve 100% clean energy and electrified transportation.

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Topics: United In The News, Michigan, Samarth Medakkar

Michigan’s Latest Budget Makes Progress on Clean Energy and Transportation

Posted by Adam Winer on Jun 29, 2023

Advanced Energy United commends Michigan legislators for passing a strong budget that will advance transportation electrification, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and resiliency. Work remains—the legislature must take bold action on clean energy after summer recess.

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Topics: Press Releases, Michigan, Samarth Medakkar

AEE applauds Michigan's state climate plan, including roadmap to 52 percent emissions reductions by 2030

Posted by Adam Winer on Apr 21, 2022

EGLE’s release of the MI Healthy Climate Plan will put Michigan on track to be a leader in the advanced energy revolution.

LANSING, April 21, 2022 – Today, Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC) and Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) applauded Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s release of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) MI Healthy Climate Plan. The administration established a goal of economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050 when Governor Whitmer signed Executive Directive 2020-10. The MI Healthy Climate Plan focuses on an interim roadmap to 52 percent greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

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Topics: Press Releases, Michael Weiss, Michigan