Michigan’s renewable energy push gets big boost from $129 million EPA grant

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Michigan will reap the benefits after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $4.3 billion in grants to fund projects nationwide aimed at cutting down climate pollution.

Michigan is expected to receive more than $129 million that will be used toward the state’s Priority Climate Action Plan and help Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and state officials continue toward their goal to operate on 60% renewable energy by 2030.

“(The grant) will fund the transformation of siting renewable energy projects and decarbonize the electricity sector while unlocking the deep decarbonization potential across other sectors of Michigan’s economy,” the EPA stated .

Money will be used to provide incentives for local government agencies and encourage renewable energy projects, specifically for brownfield sites. Funds will also be used to develop workforce programs in rural areas, providing job opportunities and raising community awareness and support.

The grant also dictates that at least $10 million of the funds must be used for projects in tribal communities.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan called the wide-ranging plans “ambitious” and credited President Joe Biden for investing in climate protections.

“(His administration) has made the largest climate investment in history, providing billions of dollars to state, local and tribal governments to tackle climate change with the urgency it demands,” Regan said told the AP last week .

The $4.3 billion will cover 25 projects and impact 30 states.

The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and the Office of Climate and Energy will oversee the dispersing of funds in Michigan.

The EPA grants are funded by a law passed in 2022 that collected nearly $400 billion in spending and tax credits to be allocated for expanding clean energy sources and moving away from fossil fuels.

The MI Healthy Climate Plan was formalized in 2022, aiming to make Michigan a carbon-neutral state by 2050, setting benchmarks along the way. For 2030, the directive calls for the state to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 52% and generate 60% of its electricity from renewable sources.

State departments will also work on promoting electric vehicles by funding incentive programs dedicated to purchasing EVs and EV charging stations.

EGLE has set a goal of building and deploying an energy storage grid to house 4,000 megawatts while capturing and distributing clean, renewable energy.

“If we follow the steps outlined in the plan and collaborate with public and private sector partners, we can build a Michigan where every Michigander has clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and access to healthy, affordable local food,” Whitmer stated in 2022 .

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