June 2025

Will Renewables Be Able to Compete?

Washington policy will reshape energy future

As this issue of the Conservative Current goes out, the U.S. Senate has completed its marathon session on the "Big, Beautiful Bill." While there remains a lot of uncertainty about what the bill will contain by the time it reaches the President's desk (assuming that it does), it seems quite certain that the huge financial boost the renewable energy industry has received from Biden-era spending bills will not survive intact.

If the investment and production tax credits that wind, solar, battery storage, transportation and electrification industries have benefitted from are eliminated or phased out in just a few years, it is hard to predict how deep the impact on these businesses will be. Adding 30% to the cost of a home solar project will undoubtedly price many homeowners of the market. Clean energy businesses of all types will have to scale back their operations and jobs will be lost.

President Trump is promoting American energy dominance. Given the potential that clean energy technologies offer toward our energy independence and security, we have advocated that Washington not focus on 20th century energy sources or be shortsighted as to future energy sources. Pulling the rug from renewable energy manufacturers, suppliers, builders and more will test the financial competitiveness of an industry that has only recently been gaining traction toward long term sustainability. MICEF will continue to promote them as they compete and fight for survival.

First State Application Filed on Solar Project

The first application for permitting approval through the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) for a large-scale solar project was filed on June 18. The 90 MW project is proposed by Ranger Power for southern Ingham County, a short drive from the State Capitol. MPSC staff in charge of the permitting process indicate that the timeline for ruling on the application will likely extend through the full year allowed under PA 233.

The filing by Ranger Power was over 1,400 pages with numerous exhibits and detailed documentation. This permitting process follows the "contested case" format the MPSC typically uses for utility rate cases. You can find more details on the MPSC docket website for case U-21932.

"Community Solar" Bill Returns to Lansing as "MAGA Solar"

Republican legislators sponsor "conservative" approach

Long time supporter of Community Solar legislation, State Rep. Greg Markkanen, a Republican from the western U.P., has introdcued a new verison of a bill authorizing these projects, but with an eye-catching twist. House Bill 4590, entitled The Maximizing American Grid Affordability (MAGA) Act, creates "locally distributed shared solar facilities" that will allow individuals, churches, organizations and small businesses to invest in shares of a solar installation and receive a credit on their electric bill for their share of the energy produced. Allowing this investment means customers can take control over a portion of their energy costs.

The bill has 22 Republican House members signed on as co-sponsors, touting it as a "conservative" approach to solar energy. The bill has unique provisions not seen in previous bills that come with some controversy. The MAGA Act would limit the total amount of solar energy comprising Michigan's portfolio to 20%, intended to limit the impact on farmland use. To protect consumers from "fly-by-night" operations, the bill requires that only companies with a proven track record can participate. Since Michigan has never allowed these facilities, and thus preventing Michigan companies from building a track record, the bill would inadvertently prohibit some companies from participating.

Despite these challenging provisions, Rep. Markkanen has brought this clean energy model into the center of the energy policy discussion. Michigan's monopoly utilities have long opposed the shared ownership model and have killed legislation like this for a decade. MICEF will continue to support legislators from both parties promoting this energy independence tool.

MICEF Supports Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bills

State legislation moving to prime the pump

On June 3, Michigan House and Senate Committees considered legislation to provide tax incentives to build the needed production capcity for creating "sustainable aviation fuel" (SAF) - a biodiesel form of ethanol primarily made from corn. MICEF registered its support at two separate hearings just a few hours apart. On June 25, the full Senate approved its version of the bills by a vote of 28-8. Further action is not likely until after the summer recess.

Demand for SAF, especially at Detroit Metro Airport, is increasing and if Michigan doesn't build up its capacity to produce it, airlines and airports will import if from other Midwest states. The bills do not provide a long term subsidy for SAF production, but help reduce the capital invesment cost for production facilities. Once the industry is up and running, it will stand on it own. Major airlines and farmers testified in support of the bills as a mutually beneficial means of stabilizing aviation fuel supplies while buttressing the agricultural economy.

Michigan Permitting Guidebooks Keeps Rolling

Michigan Land & Liberty Coalition® and the Michigan Homegrown Power campaign, created by MICEF, continue to hand-deliver the L&LC Permitting Guidebook to local officials. As June draws to a close, we have been to 26 of 40 targeted counties with over 400 Guidebooks delivered to more than 130 townships. It's an unparalleled educational "ground game" that will continue through the summer months.

Battery Technology Claims Keep Getting Bigger

As the battery tech "space race" continues, we see a steady dose of claims from various automakers and battery researchers that they've developed the next game-changing breakthrough. Here's two of the latest in our "Prove it to me" category.

Chinese company Huwaei has filed for a patent claiming their solid state EV battery, in theory, can deliver up to 1,800 miles of range with a 5-minute charging time.

Meanwhile, Tesla in conjunction with Dalhousie University in Canada, has developed nickel-based battery that they claim can last 100 years. No, that's not a misprint. Like we said, really big claims...