May 2025
MICEF HITS THE ROAD IN MAY… ... in Washington, DC
Annual Trip to The Hill
MICEF participated in the 7th Annual DC Fly-in sponsored by Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions. MICEF Executive Director Ed Rivet and Leadership Council member Marc Santucci spent a day on The Hill meeting with Michigan members and staff of the House of Representatives. The Big, Beautiful Bill was dominating every discussion in Washington, and MICEF shared about the importance of clean energy investments, the jobs they create, and their energy and national security impact.
We also provided briefs on what is happening on the energy front across Michigan. Members of Congress have countless issues vying for their attention and it is hard for them to stay abreast of things happening in other members’ districts. We’re there to educate and advocate on Michigan's All-of-the-Above clean energy future.
... in Atlanta, Georgia
MICEF Joins Solar Manufacturing Tour
MICEF Executive Director Ed Rivet was among a small group of conservative energy advocates who joined Georgia policymakers on a tour of QCells advanced solar manufacturing facility less than an hour north of Atlanta. The 2.5 million square foot colossal plant, a multi-billion dollar investment, offers 2,000 jobs and brings to American soil the full manufacturing process for solar panels. QCells already operates another plant nearby that employs 2,000, and together the two plants will be able to manufacture 46,000 panels every 24 hours.
... in Gaylord, Michigan
Staff & Fellow Tour Carbon Capture Facility
MICEF Programs & Operations Director, Emily Szczerowski, and MICEF Pischea Fellow, Ben Vogel, joined a small group of Michigan State House members on a tour of what will be the first underground carbon sequestration facility in Michigan. Core Energy, based in Traverse City for over 20 years, has been pumping carbon dioxide into the ground to increase the productivity of oil fields (aka “enhanced oil recovery”). Now with many of the oil deposits depleted there is space underground to permanently store CO2 ("sequestration”).
MICEF has supported legislation at the State Capitol to establish state policies for regulating and permitting carbon sequestration facilities. Without the passage of these laws, sequestration efforts will remain under federal EPA regulation, a slow and cumbersome process.
... in Counties & Townships Across the State
Land & Liberty Team Delivers Permitting Guidebooks
The Michigan Land & Liberty Coalition® team has been on the road during our “May Guidebook Blitz Month” delivering the highly-touted Renewable Energy Permitting Guidebook in cooperation with the Michigan Homegrown Power campaign created by MICEF. The efforts together will result in hundreds of Guidebooks hand-delivered to over 100 township offices in over 20 counties. The work continues through the summer with a goal of over 1,000 Guidebooks delivered.
Land & Liberty Coalition® team members Ben Parke, Noah Buttitta, and Andrew Hall have been traveling to select townships to engage in a door-to-door educational pilot project to have deeper conversations with local residents about economic development. In an era of excess media-driven information, we’re focusing on talking with, and more importantly, listening to people at a very real and personal level.
MICEF Supports Biodigester Bills
Regulatory reforms needed to boost RNG potential
The Michigan House Agriculture Committee has held two hearings on a bipartisan two-bill package that would advance reforms in state regulations of biodigesters. MICEF Executive Director Ed Rivet testified in support of the legislation which could unlock the potential for powering up to 1 million Michigan homes with electricity from renewable natural gas generation. Testimony provided by the national biogas association indicated that Michigan has only tapped 20% of its potential for RNG.
Staff from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE), argued that the standards they apply for what goes in and comes out of biodigesters is needed to prevent land and water contamination. Bill sponsors Rep. Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd) and Rep. Joey Andrews (D – St. Joseph) countered that Michigan has more restrictive regulations than any other state in the country and Michigan’s agriculture and food industries are being hindered unnecessarily. Negotiations on the bills to close the gap with regulators are ongoing.
Fed Order Keeps MI Coal Plant Open
It’s a head-scratcher given current capacity
Federal Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued an order requiring the J.H. Campbell coal-fired electric plant on the Lake Michigan shoreline to remain open for 90 days in response to an alleged “energy emergency.” The order states that there is a potential energy shortfall in the MISO region during the summer peak demand months. Neither the head of MISO nor Michigan Public Service Commission Chair Dan Scripps agree with that assessment.
The plant was slated to close at the end of May with shutdown processes already in motion. Staff from the plant have already been shifting to other positions within Consumers Energy and the plant has stopped receiving coal shipments. MISO and Consumers have said they will take steps to keep the plant operational, but it remains to be seen how much the plant will actually operate during the 90 days. Whatever the Trump Administration’s perspective on this might be, it is not based in need, pragmatism or cost consciousness.