The Renewable Energy Academy (REA) is a one-stop-shop for large-scale renewable energy in Michigan, hosting a hub for resources, tools, and experts in the field and providing no-cost technical assistance to communities.
Additionally, through funding from the U.S. Department of Energy's Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program, the Energy Services Unit is partnering with the University of Michigan’s Graham Sustainability Institute, Michigan State University Extension, 5 Lakes Energy, the Michigan Association of Planning, and more to generate new REA materials and services to further empower the decision-making capacity of any interested party on the topic of large-scale renewable energy.
The Renewable Energy Academy (REA) Workshop, designed and executed by EGLE Energy Services Unit, is an effort to consolidate the expertise, resources, and shared goals in the statewide utility-scale renewable energy space into one landing point. Each workshop will be a four-hour long, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (with option to attend one hour of REA Office Hours), deep-dive into planning & zoning for renewable energy, from the basics of grid-connection to the specific zoning pathways each community should consider under the zoning and siting landscape of PA233.
Local government officials, planning commissioners, planning staff, etc. of a municipality who has been approached by developers about utility-scale renewable projects, or wants to prepare their municipality for the new siting legislation. (Interested public residents are not the intended audience for the REA Workshop, but are recommended to watch the recorded webinars)
Recorded materials are available as a part of the Renewable Energy Academy Online Series. If your region has interest in hosting a workshop, please contact the REA team or your regional planning commission.
Tune in to Part 1 of REA Online: Introduction to Renewables to improve your understanding of utility-scale renewable energy and its significance under the Michigan siting landscape. This comprehensive session covers key aspects of renewable energy, from technological insights to the benefits and concerns surrounding its development.
Tune in to Part 2 of REA Online: Processes and Pathways under Public Act 233, to get an in-depth exploration of the processes and pathways related to Public Act (PA) 233 of 2023. This video delves into compatible renewable energy ordinances (CREOs), state-level certifications, alternative incompatible pathways (workable and unworkable ordinances), and the benefits and downsides for each. This session is especially valuable for local officials and decision-makers, as it provides essential guidance for navigating PA 233.
Tune in to Part 3 of REA Online: Workable Zoning Ordinances, where we dive into strategies that local governments can deploy to strike workability within their renewable energy zoning ordinances. Building upon the information provided in Parts 1 and 2 of the Renewable Energy Academy Online, Part 3 focuses on achieving a balance in ordinance design by strategically considering community priorities and common developer concerns.
EGLE’s Renewable Energy webpage is a general hub that provides resources on solar and wind energy for many different scales and audiences, including guidance on incorporating solar and wind into community plans and ordinances. For planning and zoning for utility-scale renewable energy in particular, the following are highly relevant:
EGLE has State and Federal funding available for various energy related projects, such as energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy installations (non-residential), clean technology development, EV charger installations, as well as funding for research and reports. Applications and Requests for Proposals (RFP) are available throughout the year.
The Renewables Ready Communities Award is a $30,000,000 program designed to reward hosts and permitters of utility-scale renewable energy in the state. This program will provide up to $5,000 per megawatt to Michigan municipalities that permitted, host, or expect to host eligible renewable energy projects.
The Clean Energy Information Bureau (CEIB) is currently recruiting experts through a Request for Proposals (RFP). Interested individuals must apply for and enter into a grant agreement with EGLE using this application. All required documents are included below.
Applying for the CEIB requires a referral letter signed by the REA Partner Organizations, UM Center for EmPowering Communities and MSU Extension. The current contacts for these referrals are:
The referral letter linked below has been written by these contacts and may change in the future.
All questions for this grant opportunity should be directed to Ian O'Leary at OlearyI@Michigan.gov and Hunter Van Riper at VanRiperH1@Michigan.gov.
Documents for application:
RFP
Approved Budget
Referral Letter Template
Educational Module Plan Template
EGLE’s Energy Services Unit strives to promote healthy communities, economic growth, and environmental sustainability through energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption. We support individuals, businesses, and communities by providing educational awareness as well as technical, financial, and referral assistance. EGLE offers a variety of programs each year to catalyze growth and jumpstart Michigan entities in reaching their own energy goals.
Graham Sustainability Institute mobilizes the expertise and passion of scholars, partners, and decision-makers to work together and bring world-class research to real-world sustainability challenges.
Michigan State University Extension has been helping people address critical issues, needs and opportunities by delivering MSU's vast knowledge and resources directly to individuals, communities, and businesses. MSUE has a wide reach of associated professionals & experts, has developed several community engagement events regarding discussion about renewable energy, and has written widely used guidebooks for wind and solar zoning.
5 Lakes Energy is a Michigan-based policy consulting firm dedicated to advancing policies and programs that promote clean energy and sound water policy for a resilient environment. They have the capacity to develop useful visualizations and modeling tools in adopting and accelerating sustainable practices.
Michigan Association of Planning is dedicated to promoting sound community planning that benefits the residents of Michigan, and to promoting quality community planning through education, information and advocacy, statewide.
