Michigan Agriculture and Rural Businesses Energy Incentive Program is a grant program from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) that funds energy-related improvements at agricultural entities and rural small businesses across Michigan. Eligible projects include energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy installations recommended through completed energy audits and assessments.

Eligible applicants include Michigan-based farms, agribusinesses, food processors, and rural small businesses that have undergone qualifying energy assessments. Award amounts vary based on project scope. No fixed submission deadline has been announced; applicants should monitor EGLE's website for current program guidance and application periods.

Newsletter: EGLE Grants, 2025 Events and More » MIEIBC Join MIEIBC on May 6, 2026, for the 14th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference Newsletter: EGLE Grants, 2025 Events and More Newsletter: Whitmer's FY27 budget, Renewables Ready Communities Awards, and more Newsletter: MPSC sets new transmission guidelines, and more Comments on Transmission Siting Newsletter: AG sues Big Oil, 2025 MI Healthy Climate Report, and more Newsletter: New team member, Annual conference registration, and more 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 EGLE, MPSC Announce New Funding Opportunities The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) has announced several new programs with funding available for energy-related projects across a wide variety of areas. In addition, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) just released a request for proposals seeking applicants for $4.

875 million in Renewable Energy and Electrification Infrastructure Enhancement and Development grants. The deadline is March 20, and you can find out more at the MPSC’s webpage for the program here .

Meanwhile, the new EGLE programs include: Agriculture and Rural Business Energy Incentive Program – Grants for energy projects at agricultural entities (or related such as food processing) or rural small businesses Small Manufacturers Retooling Program – Grants for small manufacturing facilities to implement energy projects Grid Resiliency Program – Funding to utility companies to improve reliability of the grid and reduce downtime in their service territories Water Energy Nexus Program – Grants for water or wastewater facilities to implement energy projects Sponsorship Program – Funding to support energy focused events or conduct energy related research activities Save the Dates for Michigan EIBC’s 2025 Events We’re excited to announce that Michigan EIBC has a number of events planned for 2025 including public convenings, legislator education events, networking events, and, of course, our Annual Energy Innovators Conference and Annual Energy Innovators Gala.

Michigan EIBC’s Annual Energy Innovators Conference will be held this year on April 2nd at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing with a welcome reception in the evening on April 1. Plan for a full day of networking, panel discussions, and engaging speakers! Michigan EIBC’s Annual Gala will be held this year on September 24th at the Gem Theatre in Detroit.

The evening will feature a keynote speaker, award presentations, and plenty of networking opportunities! ConnectDER is a manufacturer of meter socket adapters (MSAs). ConnectDER offers MSAs that streamline interconnection for residential solar arrays and connect and manage large electrical loads like EV chargers.

With UL Listed devices that are installed into existing electrical meters in minutes, ConnectDER is a proven, affordable product that reduces barriers to powering homes with clean energy.

Atwell, LLC is a national consulting, engineering, and construction services firm with offices throughout the country that deliver a broad range of strategic and creative solutions to clients in three core markets: real estate and land development, power and energy, and oil and gas.

Atwell provides comprehensive turnkey services including land and right of way support, engineering, land surveying, environmental compliance and permitting, and project and program management. Circle Power Renewables is a Michigan-based renewable energy development company focused on high value generation.

Circle Power’s partners have over fifty years of collective experience during which they have been responsible for the development, construction or operation of several gigawatts of power projects and over three billion dollars of assets. Convergent Energy + Power LLP Convergent Energy + Power (Convergent) is a leading provider of energy storage solutions in North America.

Convergent has over a decade of experience financing and managing all aspects of the energy storage development cycle to help customers reduce electricity costs and increase reliability. The company’s commercial, industrial, and utility-scale assets can yield seven-figure savings while advancing the clean energy transition.

Convergent’s proprietary asset management platform, PEAK IQ® leverages machine learning and deep market knowledge to optimize asset performance and maximize value. With over $1 bn invested in projects in operation or allocated to projects under development, Convergent is a leading independent owner and operator of energy storage and solar-plus-storage solutions.

Helping businesses reimagine the energy system to realize the value of renewables, storage, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency. Dickinson Wright PLLC is a general practice business law firm dedicated to exceeding client expectations, with more than 450 attorneys in more than 50 practice areas.

Headquartered in Detroit and founded in 1878, the firm has eighteen offices in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, D. C. , Toronto, Florida and Texas.

The firm is very active in clean energy. East Point Energy is a development firm focused on the origination, construction, and operation of energy storage projects. Our team is currently developing gigawatts of energy storage projects throughout the country, helping to transform the grid into a renewable, resilient, and affordable system for generations to come.

East Point is a wholly owned subsidiary of Equinor, a broad international energy company committed to long-term value creation in a low-carbon future. East Point’s nimble team is comprised of hard-working, strategic problem solvers who are passionate about sustainability. We are technology and contractor agnostic, allowing us to find the best solution for each project.

The firm’s executive team founded East Point in 2018, bringing decades of combined energy development experience. Success for East Point is measured by delivering affordable energy storage solutions that benefit the grid, communities, and our environment.

EDP Renewables North America LLC EDP Renewables North America LLC (EDPR NA), its affiliates, and its subsidiaries develop, construct, own, and operate wind farms, solar parks, and energy storage systems throughout North America. EDPR NA has developed more than 10,600 megawatts (MW) and operates more than 9,600 MW of onshore utility-scale renewable energy projects.

With more than 1,000 employees, EDPR NA’s highly qualified team has a proven capacity to execute projects across the continent. Energy Alliance Group of Michigan In 2012, The Energy Alliance Group of North America (EAG) was started for one purpose, to develop and deploy innovative solutions to energy, waste, and environmental challenges around the world.

The differentiating strength of our methods for developing solutions is the holistic approach we take and the extensive knowledge we and our partners have, in technology, financing, incentives, and integrated services – all critical elements to insuring the highest return on investment (ROI) for our clients. Unlike most competitors, EAG is technology agnostic and solution driven.

Representing or distributing no particular product or technology, our clients are provided with an optimal solution – not one in which EAG has a vested financial interest. In addition to reducing utility costs, we identify a number of incentives and operational savings to maximize our clients ROI.

These include tax incentives, tax credits, utility choice, and other operational cost recovery services that complement the holistic approach we take. For each opportunity, EAG defines the total cost of ownership for a period of 20-years or longer.

Combined with the utility reduction to be achieved, our life cycle cost models include qualified credits and incentives, and identify maintenance, end of life replacement costs and inflation costs – all representing the true cost of ownership and return on investment.

This capability and area of expertise, allows a “cradle to grave” approach to efficiency improvement and cost recovery solutions for energy, waste, and environmental challenges, large or small. Together with our technology and service partners, EAG is considered a leader in developing and deploying solutions for energy, waste and environmental challenges, with an expertise in Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) funded projects.

Energy Dome is at the forefront of redefining long-duration energy storage with its CO2 Battery. The properties of carbon dioxide allow the system to store energy efficiently and cost-effectively through a patented thermodynamic process.

With a modular approach and site-independent footprint, CO2 Batteries use readily available, off-the-shelf components from reliable, existing supply chains, providing a scalable pathway to store massive amounts of intermittent renewable energy and accelerate the energy transition. Energy Dome is commercializing the CO2 Battery on all five continents and in over 40 countries. Energy Dome’s mission?

Decarbonizing the world today. EVgo is a leader in charging solutions, building and operating the infrastructure and tools needed to expedite the mass adoption of electric vehicles for individual drivers, rideshare and commercial fleets, and businesses. Since its founding in 2010, EVgo has led the way to a cleaner transportation future and its network has been powered by 100% renewable energy since 2019.

As one of the nation’s largest public fast charging networks, EVgo’s owned and operated charging network includes around 900 fast charging locations in 60 metropolitan areas in 30 states. EVgo continues to add more DC fast charging locations through EVgo eXtend™, its white label service offering. Fieldworks Power, LLC is a greenfield distributed energy development company focused on shaping new markets across the US.

Fieldworks is led by a team of experienced renewable energy professionals who have been pioneers in their respective areas of expertise. The company works hand in hand with landowners, regulators, legislators, utilities and other stakeholders to thoughtfully and responsibly bring more renewables onto the electrical grid.

Founded in 2023, Fieldworks is well capitalized via its financing structure with a top five pure play renewable energy independent power producer. Since 2006, Harvest Solar’s mission has been to assist residential, agricultural, commercial, and utility customers in becoming more sustainable, efficient and independent with renewable energy.

We pride ourselves on partnering with our customers throughout this experience, consistently delivering quality, custom-designed & engineered, cost-effective energy systems. Developer of utility scale solar and battery energy storage systems. IonDynamics is an energy mobility solutions company dedicated to revolutionizing the way energy is stored, distributed, and traded worldwide.

Our mission is to leverage state-of-the-art technologies to develop an innovative energy platform that ensures seamless access and smart management of clean energy. With a focus on innovation and building a robust network, we are evolving into a comprehensive energy trading platform that promotes sustainability and efficiency in every transaction.

We are committed to empowering communities and industries to embrace a clean, resilient, and decentralized energy future. Jupiter is a leading energy storage infrastructure platform with deep trading, analytics, development, finance, operations, and construction capabilities and unparalleled intellectual property in dispatch optimization.

The company is developing more than 11,000 MW of projects from California to Maine, and has offices in Austin and Houston, Texas, and Chicago, Illinois. For more information on Jupiter Power LLC, please visit our Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook pages or visit www. jupiterpower.

io . Lakeshore Die Cast is a manufacturer of aluminum and zinc die castings founded in 1959 in Michigan. We make die castings for all industries but primarily serve non-automotive customers.

More recently we are involved in energy generation through on-site solar and would like to share our experience with other medium sized manufactures to speed adoption of renewables for economic advantage. McNaughton-McKay Electric Company McNaughton-McKay Electric Company is a leading distributor of electrical products for the industrial, automation, commercial, and construction markets.

We opened in 1910 and are headquartered in Madison Heights, Michigan with 22 additional locations in 5 States and Germany. Each of our branch locations are committed to ensuring your needs are being met and we truly understand your business and industry goals. Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US Mitsubishi Electric Trane US is a manufacturer of All-Climate heat pump technology.

Systems are designed for elevated living and lower impact on the environment. Our mission is to provide personal comfort to our customers and create prosperous communities where we live and work. Third Pillar Solar is an American energy company that partners with waterbody and brownfield site owners to transform underused real-estate into valuable energy projects.

By focusing equally on the community, environmental, and economic value of projects, we develop assets that we are proud to own and operate long-term. With over a decade of experience operating distribution grid assets in real-time, Utilidata is bringing distributed AI to the edge of the grid to accelerate decarbonization and better serve people.

Walker-Miller Energy Services Founded in 2000, Walker-Miller Energy Services (WMES) is a woman & minority-owned urban energy waste reduction company focusing on empowering people and enriching communities. We achieve that by providing an exceptional experience to our customers, our team members and the communities in which we serve.

Our talented team of Certified Energy Managers (CEM), BPI Certified Energy Analysts, LEED accredited Professionals, Building Analysts, and internal support staff have been delivering energy efficiency services for nearly two decades. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office announces an up to $7. 17 billion loan guarantee for DTE Electric “to help finance significant generation and battery storage to power Michigan’s future.

” The Detroit News speaks with Michigan EIBC President Laura Sherman and others about the effects of President Trump’s executive order on grant money that was heading to Michigan. Michigan EIBC member ESA Solar announces the permitting of its under-development 150-MW/600-MWh Salzburg battery storage project .

In a case that could be heading to the U.S. Supreme Court, a federal appeals court panel finds that a portion of the 2016 Michigan energy law governing alternative electricity suppliers violates the interstate commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution. Michigan EGLE announces the third round of its Renewables Ready Communities awards .

CBS Detroit talks to Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) Chair Dan Scripps about coldproofing Michigan’s energy supply. Michigan State Police deploys its first all-electric patrol vehicle. Offshore wind permitting is essentially frozen at the federal level after a Trump executive order.

Trump’s order seeking to pause Inflation Reduction Act funding is likely to be challenged in court. A fire at the Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility is leading to calls for a new safety approach for the energy storage industry in general. A growing political effort in the state of Oklahoma seeks to ban new renewable energy entirely.

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.

Policy Associate – Central. Location: Austin, Tex. Policy Principal – Central.

Location: Remote. United seeks an enthusiastic, smart, innovative Principal with a background in issue advocacy and/or coalition building at the state level to join our policy and campaign team.

The principal will work with United team members to develop and implement multi-year strategies and initiatives designed to achieve policy successes at the state level that will accelerate the clean energy transition while expanding markets for the advanced energy industry.

The Principal will craft and execute creative strategies to: enact pro-advanced energy policies in key states in our Central Region, primarily Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan with secondary focus on Wisconsin and Texas; educate and build support for advanced energy technologies and policies among key decision-makers within states; engage in regulatory proceedings in states; support and advocate for the implementation of the state and federal laws by state regulatory and executive agencies; defend existing advanced energy policies; and educate and activate policymakers and executive agency staff on regional solutions needed to achieve 100% clean energy.

The principal will also lead, execute and/or support United’s regulatory engagements in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Candidates will need to have the ability to travel to meet with United members, coalition allies and stakeholders, and public officials. Decarbonization Project Manager, Community Programs (MI).

Location: Michigan. Elevate’s Decarbonization Project Manager on the Community Programs – Michigan Team is integral in advancing Elevate’s goal of decarbonizing affordable housing and non-profit buildings. The Decarbonization Project Manager, Community Programs also contributes to various projects aimed at improving building performance and promoting clean energy solutions.

This position leads and executes assignments in specialized technical domains, working collaboratively with team members to achieve our mission and commitment exceptional project delivery while demonstrating Elevate’s organizational values, commitment to equity, and principles of partnership Senior Project Consultant, Community Consulting. Location: Chicago.

The Senior Project Consultant, Community Consulting works with communities to guide the implementation of projects and programs, maintains client relationships, and assists with program development for initiatives related to affordable housing and sustainable communities with an emphasis on energy and water efficiency, renewable energy, decarbonization, and community resilience.

Projects focus on providing technical assistance to communities to help them achieve their sustainability goals by identifying funding opportunities, connecting them to technical resources, and providing expertise in policy and program design centered on equity, economic inclusion, and community and stakeholder engagement.

This position requires experience with community engagement best practices and familiarity with building retrofit programs, building science practices, and their connection with climate equity. The Senior Project Consultant, Community Consulting collaborates with others in the National Strategic Engagement team and with core service departments of Elevate, as well as national partner organizations.

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Departmental Analyst 9-P11/12, MI Solar for All Program Analyst. Location: Lansing. This is a limited term position that functions as the MI Solar for All (MISFA) program analyst in the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Executive Office, Office of Climate and Energy (OCE).

The MISFA program has been awarded $156 million to support implementation of residential and community solar serving low-income and disadvantaged households to reduce household energy burden and greenhouse gas emissions.

The program also includes energy storage deployment, enabling building upgrades, workforce development, community/technical assistance, vendor/consultant management, stakeholder engagement, site visits, and monitoring, performance and compliance activities. Engineer 9-P11 – MI Solar for All Program Engineer. Location: Lansing.

This limited term position functions as the MI Solar for All (MISFA) program engineer in the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Executive Office, Office of Climate and Energy (OCE). The MISFA program has been awarded $156 million to support implementation of residential and community solar serving low-income and disadvantaged households to reduce household energy burden and greenhouse gas emissions.

The program also includes energy storage deployment; enabling building upgrades; workforce development; community/technical assistance; vendor/consultant management; stakeholder engagement; site visits; and monitoring, performance, and compliance activities. This position will help conduct research and analyses supporting successful deployment of the MISFA program.

Topics may include electric reliability, energy resiliency, and solar and storage equipment types and operation. In addition, it will help develop, evaluate, and manage MISFA grant programs.

The role will include collaborating with relevant entities, such as residential households, state agencies, local governments, Tribal nations, community-based organizations, and utilities to ensure developed programs meet Michigan community needs as well as MISFA programmatic needs. Michigan and National Energy Events Join the Detroit 2030 District for its 2025 January Kickoff Party & Fundraiser on Jan. 30 .

Tickets are available for sale here . The University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) is holding a Green Career Fair on Jan. 31 .

Employers and students can register here . The 13th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference will be held at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing on April 2 . Tickets will be available soon.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s (EGLE) MI Healthy Climate Conference is taking place April 22-23 at the Huntington Place in Detroit. Find out more here .

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) has announced several new programs with funding available for energy-related projects, including the Agriculture and Rural Business Energy Incentive Program , the Small Manufacturers Retooling Program , the Grid Resiliency Program , the Water Energy Nexus Program and the Sponsorship Program .

The Electrification Coalition is calling on American businesses, trade associations, and workforce development organizations to urge the federal government to support the domestic EV manufacturing industry by maintaining clean vehicle tax policies and grants to continue to incentivize private investment. Read the letter here and fill out the form to add your organization as a signatory.

The Coalition for Green Capital (CGC) has an open, rolling solicitation seeking proposals for investment from project developers, sponsors, communities, private equity firms, financial intermediaries, co-lenders or others. Find out more information here .

The State of Michigan’s Michigan Infrastructure Office Technical Assistance Center has launched a website with information about how tax-exempt entities can take advantage of federal clean energy tax credits using elective pay .

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program is accepting applications from agricultural producers and rural small businesses for grants and guaranteed loans There is an upcoming deadline on March 31 . Find out more here . Proposals are due Feb.

7 for Round 2 of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. The MPSC has released a request for proposals seeking applicants for $4. 875 million in Renewable Energy and Electrification Infrastructure Enhancement and Development grants.

The deadline is March 20 , and you can find out more at the MPSC’s webpage for the program here . Michigan EGLE is offering at least $320,000 in funding MI Solar Communities-MI Solar Access Program. Applications will be accepted through March 31 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.

Michigan State University’s Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics (AFRE) is seeking a full-time Associate Professor (FT) to serve as the Director of the Institute of Public Utilities (IPU). Find out more about this position here . RMI is looking for a regulatory expert to join its electricity team and help implement regulatory policies to ensure the energy transition is affordable for all.

Find out more about this position here . 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. Rheaply, NextCycle Michigan and Michigan EGLE have launched the Michigan Materials Marketplace , which allows businesses to buy and sell excess materials so they can be reused instead of discarded.

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/or 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 funds are depleted and there is no specific deadline.

More information on this opportunity can be found on the RRCA Webpage . Join our newsletter and stay up-to-date on energy innovation in Michigan! This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

115 W. Allegan, Suite 710, Lansing, MI 48933 © Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council Partner with Advanced Energy Economy Jared Deluccia serves as the Regulatory Analyst at Michigan EIBC. Before joining EIBC, Jared worked as a United States Department of Energy Fellow first for the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) and most recently for the United States Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO).

During his time at the Maryland PSC, he worked on the staff that advised the Commissioners on the various topics before the PSC, with a specific focus on clean energy issues. While at SETO, he worked on the Strategic Analysis and Institutional Support team, with a focus on reducing the soft costs of solar.

Jared received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh, where he double majored in Economics and History, while also receiving a certificate in Sustainability. During his time in school, he developed an interest in energy while interning for the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Sustainability.

Sophia Schuster is the Policy Principal for Michigan EIBC and the Institute for Energy Innovation, where she leads transportation policy efforts. In 2024, she led the work with key partners to release the Transportation Electrification Policy Roadmap, which identifies key executive, legislative, and regulatory policy actions needed to reach Michigan’s clean transportation goals.

She is also actively engaged in federal outreach to advocate for continued federal support and sound economic policy critical to ensuring and fostering a strong manufacturing environment in Michigan. Before joining Michigan EIBC, she served as the Strategic Procurement Intern for Pennsylvania State University’s Office of Central Procurement, where she led a variety of projects focused on process improvement and financial analysis.

Sophia is a graduate of Smeal College of Business at the Pennsylvania State University, where obtained her MBA, as well as a Masters in Supply Chain Management. She pursued her undergraduate degree at Albright College, where she studied Political Science and Environmental Studies. Natalie Lyijynen is the Sustainable Business Associate for Michigan EIBC and the Institute for Energy Innovation.

In this role, she leads Michigan EIBC’s efforts to advance the buildout of electricity transmission, a critical component for supporting the continued growth of renewable energy across the state. She also supports the broader work of the policy team, contributes to member engagement, and assists with event coordination.

Natalie holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Biology and Environmental Studies with a minor in Sustainability from the University of Michigan. During her time in college, Natalie held internships advocating for clean energy policy and environmental justice.

As an Energy and Arctic Policy Research Intern for the University of Alaska Fairbanks, she worked with a coalition of professors and graduate students to research a possible energy transition and draft a report for the Alaska State Legislature.

She was also a Global Water Crisis research assistant for the Michigan Quarterly Review, a graduate academic journal, where she helped to achieve a higher degree of inclusion in the journal’s solicitation process and conducted an interview project on the barriers faced in communicating climate and water issues. Justin Carpenter serves as the Director of Policy at Michigan EIBC.

Before joining EIBC, Justin worked as a Legislative Director in both the Michigan House and Senate, managing the Senate Judiciary and House Energy Committees. He has worked with various stakeholders and policymakers on both sides of the aisle covering numerous energy issues.

During his time at Michigan State University, he also interned in the Michigan House of Representatives and served as Build Coordinator on the executive board of Michigan State’s Habitat for Humanity. Justin accepted his first paid position in the legislature as an executive assistant in the Michigan Senate during his senior year, before graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with an additional major in Economics.

Charlie serves as a Policy Associate for the Institute of Energy Innovation and Michigan EIBC. Prior to joining EIBC, Charlie worked as a Field Organizer for the Michigan One Campaign, working to elect President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and U.S. Senator Gary Peters. He was responsible for seven counties across Northern Michigan.

Charlie also led the Grand Traverse County canvass program and staffed events with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Senator Peters, and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. During his time in college, Charlie served as an intern in U.S. Senator Stabenow’s office where he served primarily on the Energy and Environment portfolio, while also handling an administrative workload.

He also worked as a Press Intern at the Fordham University’s Institute for International Humanitarian Affairs where he conducted primary research on the intersection of climate change and human rights. In 2020, Charlie authored and published a paper on climate change and rights-based litigation in the Journal Climate Policy.

Charlie is a graduate of Colby College, where he majored in Political Science and received a minor in Environmental Policy. He was the captain of the Colby squash team and was elected to the NESCAC all sportsmanship team. Grace Michienzi is the Senior Director of Policy for the Institute for Energy Innovation and Michigan EIBC.

At Michigan EIBC, Grace leads on building decarbonization work, including issues related to energy efficiency and building electrification. She also supports Michigan EIBC’s policy platform by leading on work at the state’s Executive Branch. Grace serves on the Michigan Council on Climate Solutions and on the Board of Directors of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.

Before joining Michigan EIBC, she served as a policy advisor to Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan on a variety of issues, including agriculture, Great Lakes, and human services. In that capacity, she collaborated with departments, stakeholders, and the legislature to develop and negotiate policy goals for the State of Michigan.

During her time in college, Grace held internships in the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, Michigan State University Center for Community and Economic Development, and MSU Extension. Grace is a graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University, where she majored in Social Relations & Policy and received minors in Sustainable Agriculture and in Science, Technology, & Environment Policy.

Tanya is the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Institute for Energy Innovation and Michigan EIBC, and a Senior Consultant at 5 Lakes Energy. At IEI and Michigan EIBC, she will be specializing in cutting-edge research and energy policy development and analysis.

In over two decades in the industry, Tanya has worked in both the public and private sectors on behalf of the Michigan Public Service Commission, Direct Energy, ITC Holdings, the Organization of MISO States, and most recently as President of the Michigan Electric and Gas Association. She has held various policy positions, working with state regulatory commissions and legislatures, MISO, FERC, and a variety of stakeholder groups.

She also served in leadership roles as executive of two associations, and a director on several non-profit boards, advising on organization and policy strategy. Tanya has a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law with a concentration in Environmental and Natural Resource Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Oakland University.

She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and President of the Energy Bar Association Midwest Chapter. Tanya is co-founder and facilitator for Advancing White Anti-Racist Education (AWARE) and is training to become a certified meditation teacher. Cory serves as the Vice President of