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July 2024
State of Michigan awarded $129.1 million through EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program
The State of Michigan was awarded $129 million to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy through the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Program. Michigan’s award was one of 25 selected applications. With this award, EGLE will launch the Renewables Ready Communities Program (RRC), which includes five strategies:
- Expanding the Renewables Ready Communities Award pilot, an initiative launched in 2024 with a one-time state investment of $30 million, which provides financial incentives to local and tribal governments that approve and host utility-scale renewable energy and energy storage through local processes.
- Creating the Brownfield Renewable Energy Pilot Program to provide grants for renewable energy projects on brownfields, incentivizing deployment on brownfields.
- Strengthening EGLE’s Renewable Energy Academy to develop technical assistance for local and tribal governments to improve planning, siting, and permitting processes for renewable energy facilities and the new Brownfield Renewable Energy Pilot Program.
- Supporting workforce development programs, in coordination with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, to ensure Michigan has the workforce needed to build enough renewable energy to meet the state’s 2030 goals.
- Developing a Renewables Ready Communities Strategic Plan to ensure a comprehensive strategy for utility-scale and brownfield renewable energy projects to meet the state’s 60% renewable energy by 2030 goals.
The Office of Climate and Energy led the grant application and is working with the EGLE Energy Services Unit and the Brownfield Redevelopment Program to implement the RRC Program. OCE received a $3 million planning grant under the CPRG Program to expand on the MI Healthy Climate Plan in 2023 and gathered input to develop a set of priority climate actions, as required by the EPA. As a result of that process, the State submitted a competitive grant application to the EPA's CPRG Program to address challenges to siting renewable energy at scale, receiving full funding for the Program, as described above. The next steps under the CPRG Program include the implementation of the RRC Program and, through the development of a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP), the further development of strategies to implement the MI Healthy Climate Plan and meet Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s climate goals.
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Governor Whitmer accelerates implementation of the MI Healthy Climate Plan with 2025 budget investments
Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the legislature announced a Fiscal Year 2025 budget deal that included over half a billion dollars to help implement the MI Healthy Climate Plan (MHCP).
The budget deal closely followed the plan’s Roadmap, covering nearly each focus area of the MHCP: just transition, energy, transportation, built environment, natural and working lands, industry, and other climate-related investments.
Last call! Applications close August 1 for the MI Justice40 Accelerator and Climate Justice Challenge.
Apply by August 1 to join the first Michigan Justice40 Accelerator!
Twenty-five participants will join a year-long cohort, which starts in September 2024, and will receive $25,000 in unrestricted grant money to support participation and project development during the cohort, as well as the below benefits:
- One-on-one technical assistance.
- Justice40 Navigator support.
- Workshops on applying for government grants.
- Peer-to-peer learning sessions.
- Informational sessions with government agency officials.
- Curated notices of funding opportunities.
- Post-accelerator, national alumni network.
Each participant will complete and submit at least one grant application during this program. The Michigan Justice40 Accelerator is an open application process for organizations that meet the following criteria:
- Nonprofits and/or tribal-serving organizations with 501(c)(3) status, fiscally sponsored projects, and cooperatives based in the state of Michigan.
- Operate in or serve Justice40 Communities.
- Have a project idea related to any of the following: Workforce Development, Resilience Hubs, Agriculture and Food Justice, Climate Action Planning, Energy and Energy Efficiency, Green Infrastructure, Water Quality and Infrastructure, Sustainable Housing, Toxins and Pollution Issues, or Transit and Transportation Justice.
- Committed to applying for public funding for their chosen project (we are here to help you do this!).
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Apply to the EPA’s Community Change Grants program by August 1 and seek a Climate Justice Challenge match commitment!
Under the Climate Justice Challenge, the State of Michigan has made available up to $11 million in grant and technical assistance funding to maximize federal investments in Michigan from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants (CCG) for applicants submitting prior to the Challenge’s deadline. The Climate Justice Challenge will break down barriers to accessing the CCG by helping eligible applicants access and navigate the grant application process.
Interested applicants to the EPA’s CCG opportunity can request access to the Climate Justice Challenge funding by completing this form prior to submitting their official application and prior to August 1, 2024.
Learn more about Elective Pay for Clean Energy Tax Credits!
Non-taxable entities can apply to receive available clean energy tax credits as cash payments through Elective Pay (also known as Direct Pay). Eligible entities include:
- State, local, territorial governments
- Tribal and Native entities
- Rural energy cooperatives
- 501(c)(3)
- Other tax-exempt entities
Learn more about Direct Pay via this overview. Already have a project (potential or completed) and want to see if it is eligible? Check out Lawyers 4 Good Government’s new Clean Energy Tax Navigator.
Michigan Solar for All update
On April 22, 2024, the State of Michigan was awarded $156 million by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the MI Solar for All (MISFA) Program, aimed at supporting solar development for low-income and disadvantaged communities. This funding will provide direct financial assistance for rooftop solar, community-serving solar, and energy storage. Since receiving the award notification, the State has been preparing a revised workplan in response to EPA feedback and adjusting to the reduced funding amount.
The State has initiated the hiring process for the MISFA Program Director, with applications closing on July 12, 2024, and is developing a Request for Proposals for a planning consultant to oversee the 1-year planning period. Efforts to keep stakeholders informed include collecting contact information for future engagement sessions through the MI Solar for All Interest Form, hosting a webinar on the Solar For All opportunity, and holding an informational session at the MI Healthy Climate Conference. Residents can stay updated by signing up on the MISFA Interest Form and subscribing to the Michigan Climate Action News & Updates listserv.
ICYMI - webinar recordings on organics recycling now available and Food Waste Specialist job opening
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Prioritizing Food Waste Reduction Efforts in Michigan Webinar – Action at the State Level (recorded 07/17/24, 61 min)
Cutting food waste in half by 2030 is key to Michigan’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality. Watch this webinar to learn more about how state agencies are paving the way to cut back on food waste. Hear about ways local governments can get involved and encourage food waste reduction efforts in their own communities.
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Organics Infrastructure Request for Proposal Webinar (recorded 7/24/24, 57 min)
A total of $1 million dollars is available to expand EGLE's organics infrastructure. Grant awards are expected to range from $5 thousand to $250 thousand. Watch this webinar to learn about the EGLE Organics Infrastructure Grant Request for Proposals (RFP), which is open to both public and private sectors. Learn about RFP eligibility criteria, different infrastructure projects ideas, and how to connect EGLE program priorities with your own local organics recycling goals and objectives. The RFP application deadline is August 28th.
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JOB OPENING: Food Waste Specialist - closes August 2!
Apply today.
MI Healthy Climate news
- Lt. Governor Gilchrist Announces Grants Under Federal Partnership to make Michigan’s National Parks More Accessible
- Michigan Brings Home $35.7 Million from Inflation Reduction Act to Support Michigan’s Clean Energy Future and High-paying, In-demand Jobs
- Plan, plant and protect public trees with community forestry grants
- Gov. Whitmer Announces $129.1 Million Investment from Biden-Harris Administration to Lower Costs, Create Jobs, Protect Clean Air and Water
- Michigan gets $129M from feds to accelerate development of large wind, solar projects
- MI gets $129 million for local utility-scale renewable energy projects
- Mich. to receive $129M federal grant for renewable energy, EPA announces
- EPA awards Michigan $129 million to incentivize renewable energy projects
- Electric vehicle charging station grants promote UP tourism
- Clean maritime transportation makes waves
- Accelerating an EV road trip: EGLE announces grants to drive Lake Michigan Circuit program
- Michigan’s electric energy future could be wasting away in a junk drawer
- East Lansing evaluating solar power potential of city-owned properties
- Michigan continues to lead in clean energy jobs and investment, report says
- To tackle climate change, Michigan enlists a ‘corps’ of volunteers
- Call out for new hosts: MI Healthy Climate Corps preps for second round
- Gov. Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Bills Honoring Blue Star Mothers, Protecting Fair and Free Elections, and Supporting Clean Energy, Among Other Legislation
- Michigan sets record-high recycling rate for third consecutive year
- MI empowers disadvantaged communities for clean energy
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New Report: Michigan Leads the Country in Clean Energy Projects from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act
- Release: EGLE budget invests in infrastructure, safeguards Michigan’s resources
- As Michigan’s clean energy industry expands, the state is helping workers with the transition
- Gov. Whitmer Accepts Invitation to Join White House Initiative to Conserve and Restore Freshwater Resources: America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge
- Tax credits available for clean energy projects in mid-Michigan
- MI Healthy Climate Corps encourages climate action with community involvement
Upcoming events
Visit Michigan.gov/Climate for more information.
Follow @MichiganEGLE and the #MiHealthyClimate conversation on X.
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