Displaying items tagged: energy
Palisades seeking $300M in state funding to restart nuclear plant
The owner and operator of a shuttered Southwest Michigan nuclear power plant may ask for about $300 million in state funding to help reopen the facility.
Michigan Democrats propose 2030 energy storage target to bolster electric grid
State Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation to codify energy storage goals outlined in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s climate action plan that bill supporters say is crucial to accompany more renewable energy generation coming online.
Gotion floats bigger battery plant plan as it awaits approvals
Gotion Inc.’s multibillion-dollar electric vehicle battery factory proposal near Big Rapids has swelled by 1 million square feet and 200-300 additional jobs despite lingering uncertainty that the project will even happen.
Gotion EV battery plant near Big Rapids needs 2,350 workers. Ferris State plans to train them.
Ferris State University is working to roll out an accelerated electric vehicle battery manufacturing training program to build a pipeline of workers for a planned $2.4 billion battery plant in the Big Rapids area.
Little River Band awarded $100K to pursue creation of tribal utility
MANISTEE — The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians is among the latest Native American tribes considering the creation of its own utility as a way to exercise sovereignty, diversify the tribe’s holdings, control more of its energy future and reduce costs.
Michigan electric co-op lands $262.8M federal loan for electric, fiber infrastructure
BOYNE CITY — A northwestern Michigan electric cooperative and internet provider has secured a $262.8 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to build and improve 438 miles of electric grid infrastructure and 2,420 miles of fiber network.
MiBiz on WOOD-TV8: Group envisions parks, renewable energy at former Michigan coal plants
A Chicago-based environmental law group is launching a new initiative this year to work with Michigan utilities and local governments on potentially repurposing closed or soon-to-retire coal plants with public amenities and renewable energy generation.
Consumers Energy to open solar program for thousands more homeowners, businesses
LANSING — State regulators have approved an agreement between Consumers Energy and more than a dozen interest groups that will open a solar energy program to potentially thousands more homeowners and businesses.
‘Power plants to parklands’: Initiative explores public access, clean energy at former Michigan coal plants
A Midwest environmental law group is launching a “major new” initiative this year to work with utilities, municipalities and conservation groups to study the potential reuse of Michigan coal plants as public parkland as well as renewable energy production.
Mid-Michigan energy storage company raising $50M to boost production as renewables come online
CLARE — A mid-Michigan energy storage manufacturer is raising $50 million in capital to scale up production of its lead-acid battery technology, which executives say will be crucial to accompany growing amounts of intermittent renewable energy generation.
Family owned C-store operator Davis Oil acquired by Majors Management
BATTLE CREEK — Davis Oil Co., a convenience store operator with 21 locations in West Michigan, has sold to Lawrenceville, Ga.-based Majors Management LLC.
Michigan’s clean energy transition continues with federal laws, utility plans, state political shift
Two months ago, a group of environmental and clean energy groups issued a report examining how well Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s climate change action plan would actually meet its target of statewide net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Consumers Energy examining potential for clean energy at former coal plants
Michigan’s second-largest electric utility is studying the potential to repurpose two soon-to-close coal plants with clean energy such as solar and battery storage.
Startup racks up investments to scale battery manufacturing at Meadowbrook plant in Holland
HOLLAND — An equity investment from United Airlines Ventures could allow a startup advanced battery company to ramp up production in Holland via a partnership with automotive battery supplier Clarios International Inc.
State energy regulator says Palisades denial ‘obviously disappointing,’ but other clean energy routes exist
COVERT TWP. — While the recent denial of funding to reopen the Palisades nuclear power plant handicaps Michigan’s short-term emission-reduction goals, the state’s top energy regulator says new federal laws will create additional clean energy opportunities.
Inflation Reduction Act a ‘great tailwind’ for utility clean energy plans
Michigan’s two largest investor-owned utilities say tax credit provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act will speed up their investments in solar, wind and battery storage and could lead them to owning more facilities that earn a return on those investments.
SW Mich. automation manufacturer to add 100 jobs, expands footprint to accommodate growth
SHOREHAM — Southwest Michigan automation manufacturer Eagle Technologies Group will add 100 jobs by 2024 and is leasing additional engineering and manufacturing space near St. Joseph to accommodate recent growth.
Autocam Medical invests in clean energy at new Kentwood HQ
KENTWOOD — Contract medical device manufacturer Autocam Medical Devices LLC is embracing a suite of clean energy products at its new 120,000-square-foot Kentwood headquarters, including a large solar installation and energy efficiency technologies.
Q&A: Chicago Fed auto policy adviser discusses EV transition, incentives competition
The global transition to electric vehicles and low-carbon transportation is well underway and creating a high-stakes competition among countries, and even states, to capture the associated manufacturing jobs.
Advanced transportation driving Michigan clean energy job growth, report finds
The advanced transportation sector is driving Michigan’s clean energy job growth that has experienced steady increases after a pandemic-related downturn.
‘HISTORY IS BEING MADE’: State board approves incentives for 2 major battery manufacturing projects
A state board has approved hundreds of millions of dollars in tax exemptions and performance-based grants to help lure two large battery manufacturing projects that promise more than 4,000 jobs and nearly $4 billion in investment.
MiBiz on WOOD-TV8: Butterworth landfill solar project could advance following settlement agreement
A long-discussed plan for a large solar project at the former Butterworth landfill in Grand Rapids could be moving forward under a recent settlement agreement approved by state energy regulators.
Recent settlement could clear path for long-planned Grand Rapids landfill solar project
GRAND RAPIDS — A recent settlement agreement approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission could finally create a viable path forward for a long-discussed solar project on a Grand Rapids brownfield.
Hope College, Ottawa Co. partnering on EV charging needs assessment
Hope College is partnering with local officials to determine Ottawa County’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure needs in the coming years as automakers and utilities forecast increased vehicle adoption.
Corporate demand drives new renewable energy projects across Michigan
Over the past few years, corporate demand for cleaner energy to power their operations has directly led to the development of large-scale wind and solar projects across Michigan.
Several ‘moving parts’ as Palisades owner seeks to reopen SW Mich. nuclear plant
COVERT TWP. — The odds of a Southwest Michigan nuclear plant coming back to life after recently closing have improved as the owner pursues targeted federal funding for distressed nuclear facilities.
West Mich. startup launches ‘carbon-free boating as a service’
Dana Lowell and his co-founders at Lilypad Labs Inc. have set out to change the way we think about accessing water — an abundant resource in West Michigan that at times can be out of reach for some.
Local wind and solar jobs can counteract losses at retiring coal plants, U-M study finds
The wind and solar industries could fully replace the number of lost jobs at U.S. coal-fired power plants that are expected to close to meet emission-reduction targets, a recent University of Michigan study has found.
Once-vetoed solar taxation bills resurface with changes to build local support
Legislation similar to bills that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed in 2020 involving the taxation of commercial solar energy developments was reintroduced this summer with changes to gain broader support from local governments.
Michigan plans $110M statewide electric vehicle charging network
Multiple highway corridors through West Michigan would land high-speed electric vehicle charging stations in the coming years under a plan submitted last week for federal infrastructure funding.