WASHINGTON, D.C., and LANSING, Mich., October 17, 2019 – Advanced energy business groups today applauded the announcement from Governor Gretchen Whitmer that the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) would launch a multi-year initiative to modernize Michigan’s electric power system to maximize the benefits of clean, distributed energy resources for Michigan residents and businesses. National business organization Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) and the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC), a state partner of AEE, see the benefits from the MI Power Grid initiative as including:
- Greater reliability and resilience
- Lower costs for consumers
- More choices and control for customers
- Innovation through competition
- More ways for utilities to address system needs
“In MI Power Grid, Michigan is focusing on all the right things,” said Ryan Katofsky, Managing Director at AEE. “From customer engagement to integrating emerging technologies to optimizing grid investments and performance, they’ve created a scope that’s both ambitious and achievable. The vision Gov. Whitmer and the Commissioners are pursuing will give households and businesses in Michigan a cleaner, more flexible, more responsive electric power system. With experience in similar initiatives in states including Ohio, Illinois, New York, and Rhode Island, AEE looks forward to contributing to this important initiative.”
“Michigan EIBC is excited for the opportunity to work with the Commission and other stakeholders toward a modern, distributed, interconnected, grid of the future,” said Laura Sherman, President of Michigan EIBC. “Our member companies are developing innovative technologies, decreasing costs for customers, and providing beneficial grid solutions. We’re pleased to see the Governor and Commission creating a space to explore these issues and implement policies that will help increase competition, reliability, resilience, and advanced energy deployment, all while decreasing costs.”
For more information on MI Power Grid, see press release here and MI Power Grid webpage here.
About Advanced Energy Economy
Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) is a national association of businesses that are making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. Advanced energy encompasses a broad range of products and services that constitute the best available technologies for meeting energy needs today and tomorrow. AEE’s mission is to transform public policy to enable rapid growth of advanced energy businesses. Engaged at the federal level and in more than a dozen states around the country, AEE represents more than 100 companies in the $238 billion U.S. advanced energy industry, which employs 3.5 million U.S. workers. Learn more at www.aee.net and follow the latest industry news @AEEnet.
About Michigan EIBC
The Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC) is a business trade association representing companies in Michigan’s advanced energy sector. Michigan EIBC’s mission is to grow Michigan’s advanced energy economy by fostering opportunities for innovation and business growth and offering a unified voice in creating a business-friendly environment for the advanced energy industry in Michigan. Michigan EIBC represents companies across the full range of the advanced energy sector, including: advanced materials, biomass/biofuels, energy efficiency, energy storage, lighting, smart grid, solar, transportation, and wind. Michigan EIBC member companies define and drive its priorities, allowing it to bring an authentic business voice to the public discussion and policy debate. Michigan EIBC member companies are united around a common goal: making Michigan a regional and global hub for advanced energy. Learn more at www.mieibc.org and follow us on Twitter @MI_EIBC.
Media Contacts:
AEE: Monique Hanis, mhanis@aee.net, 202-391-0884
Michigan EIBC: Matt Bandyk, matt@mieibc.org