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August 2025
This month’s Bulletin is packed with information to help you find funding and resources for your clean energy and climate projects. Check out the upcoming deadlines so you can apply in time!
2026 MI Healthy Climate Fellows
Applications now open for 2026 Host Partners + Info Webinar Sept. 3
Since the program launch in March 2024, the MI Healthy Climate Fellows Program (MHCF) has deployed 55 fellows at 50 organizations across the state to build climate action capacity in advancing the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan. The Program pairs passionate fellows with Michigan communities to drive real climate solutions—like solar planning, composting programs, energy efficiency upgrades, and community resiliency planning. Host partners gain the talent and capacity to accelerate their climate action goals, while fellows receive career-building experience that prepares them to lead Michigan’s healthy climate future. Together, they’re creating lasting local impact and a more resilient Michigan.
Host partner applications are now open! We are seeking organizations to host MI Healthy Climate Fellows for the 2026 cohort. Host partners will be able to scale their climate action work, help Michigan reach the goals set forth in the MI Healthy Climate Plan, and become a part of a network dedicated to building a sustainable future for Michigan.
- Host partner applications close Tuesday, September 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET
- Eligible host partners include nonprofits, local, state and tribal governments, and community-based organizations
- Learn more and apply today!
Register today for our MI Healthy Climate Webinar: Overview of the 2026 MI Healthy Climate Fellows Program, September 3, 10 - 11 a.m. This informational webinar will provide an overview of the MHCF Program and the application process to be involved as a host partner or fellow.
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Clean Energy Tax Credits – still available!
Clean energy tax credits enable American taxpayers and taxpaying entities to cover 30% or more of eligible clean energy technology costs - from solar to geothermal to electric vehicles. These tax credits begin to phase out starting September 30, 2025!
Learn more about your project eligibility here.
Elective Pay - a tool to help reach climate goals
Elective Pay enables non-taxable entities to uptake federal clean energy tax credits. This means eligible entities such as local and Tribal governments, non-profits, rural electric co-ops, houses of worship, public school districts, and others, can now receive payment for a portion of their clean energy projects. Clean energy tax credits are still available for uptake – if you have a clean energy project consider looking into Elective Pay now!
Second MI Healthy Climate Challenge launched on Unlocking Elective Pay!
EGLE and the MI Infrastructure Office launched the second MI Healthy Climate Challenge: Unlocking Elective Pay earlier in August! Challenge #2 is intended to help entities across Michigan access federal clean energy tax credits! This Challenge will provide grants to develop and deploy strategies that enable nonprofits, local and Tribal governments, public school districts, electric cooperatives, houses of worship, and other tax-exempt entities to access and utilize federal clean energy tax credits.
Elective Pay Ambassador Program launched to help connect people to resources
Launched in early August by the MI Infrastructure Office, EGLE, and the MI Infrastructure Council, the Elective Pay Ambassador Program is a community-centered opportunity for organizations across Michigan to host a trained Elective Pay Ambassador to support Elective Pay-eligible entities pursuing clean energy projects in their region.
MI Solar for All Update
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced plans to cancel its $7 billion grant program designed to help low- and moderate-income households gain access to solar energy. The State of Michigan was obligated $156.1 million in federal funds to provide direct financial investment for rooftop solar, community solar, energy storage, and enable upgrades, as well as workforce development, community education and outreach, and technical assistance.
The MI Solar for All Program received a termination letter from the U.S. EPA dated August 7, 2025, but due to transmission issues, it was not received by EGLE until days later. MI Solar for All and EGLE are currently working with Michigan’s Attorney General on next steps. In response, EGLE Director, Phil Roos, released a statement on the matter on August 12, 2025. MI Solar for All staff will focus on next steps regarding the termination notice. Many MI Solar for All Program activities, such as engagement with low-income communities and Round 3 of Solar for Savings: MI Solar for All Pilots, will be paused during this time.
Please see the MI Solar for All August Bulletin for more information.
Upcoming opportunities, resources, and deadlines
Funding opportunities
Michigan Clean Diesel Program
EGLE is offering grants for projects that will reduce diesel emissions by replacing old vehicles, engines, and equipment, with all-electric vehicles and equipment; these grants focus on local government fleets, recycling vehicles, compost and food waste recovery vehicles, agriculture, and irrigation equipment. For more information, please visit the Michigan Clean Diesel Program.
Charge Up Michigan Program
The Charge Up Michigan Program is an electric vehicle (EV) Charger Placement project that aims to build the infrastructure for DC fast charging (DCFC) stations in the state of Michigan to ensure the feasibility of all long-distance EV trips within the state, and also to neighboring states and Canada. To achieve this, EGLE and partners (electric utilities and applicants) will provide funding for qualified DCFC EV charging equipment, site preparation, equipment installation, networking fees and signage. Public or private organizations that can host publicly accessible charging stations, fulfill program priorities, and are enrolled in a utility rebate program, are eligible to apply for this grant! EGLE will accept and process applications on a first-come, first-serve basis until funding is exhausted. For more information, please visit Charge Up Michigan Program.
Mi Home Energy Rebates (Mi HER)
Home energy rebates are available to Michigan residents to help make their homes and our state cleaner, and more efficient, reliable, and affordable. For more information, including an estimated timeline for program rollout, please visit Home Energy Rebates.
Free Energy Audits for Michigan Schools
Michigan State University’s Industrial and Building Training and Assessment Centers (ITAC and BTAC) provide no-cost energy assessments for schools throughout Michigan, to help identify energy and cost-saving opportunities. Visit the ITAC website for more information and to apply for a free assessment.
Other opportunities
Michigan Materials Marketplace
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.
Roundup of upcoming deadlines
MI Healthy Climate Challenge #2: Unlocking Elective Pay
- Concept Paper due Sunday, August 31, at 11:59 p.m. EST
Elective Pay Ambassador Program
- Applications due Sunday, August 31, 2025
MI Healthy Climate Fellows Host Site Applications
- Due Tuesday, September 30 at 11:59 p.m. EST
Free Regenerative Agriculture Workshops - Michigan Dept of Agriculture & Rural Development
- From the Ground Up: How Healthy Soil Grows Healthy Food, People and Communities, August 26, 2025, 1:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Regenerative Agriculture Consumer Workshop at Drumhiller Farms, August 27, 2025, 9:00 AM-3:30 p.m.
- Free Regenerative Agriculture Workshops
Apply for Michigan’s $100,000 tree planting grant program
- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the DTE Foundation and ReLeaf Michigan, is offering $100,000 in grant funding through the DTE Foundation Tree Planting Grant Program. This initiative supports community tree planting efforts across Michigan.
- Applications must be submitted through DNR MiGrants by September 15, 2025
- Help your community go green: Apply for Michigan’s $100,000 tree planting grant program
Recorded webinars
MI Healthy Climate Webinar Series:
EGLE Career Series:
- Did you know compost can be a full-time job? Aaron Hiday is EGLE's Compost Coordinator in the Materials Management Division. Watch this EGLE Career Series video to learn how and why Aaron encourages composting at the household and commercial level and what that work looks like on a daily basis.
MI Healthy Climate news
Upcoming events
Visit Michigan.gov/Climate for more information.
Follow @MichiganEGLE and the #MiHealthyClimate conversation on X.
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