The Michigan Renewables Energy Program (MREP) was established by the Michigan legislature, and implemented by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), to promote the use of renewable energy in the state. A diverse group of individuals and organizations with knowledge and experience in energy production, technology, education, and policy development have been assembled to identify and address barriers to the advancement of renewables and recommend initiatives to increase renewable use in Michigan.

Section 10r(6) of 2000 Public Act 141, the Michigan Customer Choice and Electricity Reliability Act, directed the MPSC to establish a Michigan Renewables Energy Program "to inform customers of the availability and value of using renewable energy generation and the potential for reduced pollution... promote the use of existing renewable energy sources and encourage the development of new facilities." In this Act, the Michigan Legislature defined renewable energy source as "energy generated by solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, including waste-to-energy and landfill gas, or hydroelectric."

On May 16, 2002, the Commission issued an order in Case No. U-12915, establishing a collaborative to assume policy analysis and recommendation functions. In that Order, the Commission stated:

The collaborative will include representatives of organizations that have an interest in renewable energy development in Michigan and address matters such as education, recommendations for incentives that promote renewable energy development and use, net metering, green tariffs, and interconnection issues.

Today, MREP has five technology committees.

• Biomass
• Geothermal
• Hydroelectric
• Solar
• Wind