September 12, 2024
LANSING, Mich.— Michigan continues to lead the nation in securing federal funding for clean energy projects, reinforcing its position as a frontrunner in sustainability and innovation. Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) announced awards under two critical programs aimed at expanding access to clean energy and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. Local communities will receive more than $27 million in funding to help lower energy costs for residents, expand access to EVs, and put Michigan closer to achieving the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan.
"This funding highlights Michigan’s leadership in building a clean energy economy that works for everyone," said Zachary Kolodin, chief infrastructure officer and director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. "With this support from the Biden-Harris administration, we are taking significant steps to make clean energy more accessible to all Michiganders, reaffirming our commitment to reducing energy costs for low-income households, creating good-paying jobs in the clean energy sector, and building an extensive EV infrastructure that supports both urban centers and rural communities.”
Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers (SERC) Grant: $900,000 Awarded to Expand Clean Energy Access in Low-Income Communities
As a part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the DOE has selected Michigan to receive $900,000 in funding through the Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers (SERC) grant. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity, and the Washtenaw Office of Community and Economic Development will implement these funds to introduce advanced energy efficiency measures in low-income households across the state. This project will include the installation of technologies like solar photovoltaic panels, cold climate air source heat pumps, and triple-pane windows, contributing to reduced energy consumption and lower energy bills for residents.
Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Grant: Over $26 Million Awarded to Expand EV Charging Infrastructure in Michigan
Under the US DOT’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Program, Michigan has been awarded over $26 million to support expanding publicly accessible EV charging stations across the state. This funding, which includes two significant awards for the City of Detroit and the City of Ann Arbor, will help strategically deploy EV charging infrastructure in urban and rural areas and along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs).
These investments align with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of the benefits from federal climate and clean energy investments to disadvantaged communities. The CFI grants will help Michigan achieve its goals for sustainable, equitable growth by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting a resilient clean energy future.
Michigan Leads on Clean Energy
A new report from Climate Power shows Michigan continues to be a national leader in clean energy and electric vehicle manufacturing. Bolstered by the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Michigan is No. 1 in the nation for IRA projects, which have resulted in more than $26 billion in new investments across the state. This funding, in tandem with Governor Whitmer’s clean energy legislative package and bipartisan economic development tools, is growing the middle class, creating good-paying, in-demand manufacturing jobs, bringing supply chains home, and lowering energy costs for families.
For more information about the Michigan Infrastructure Office, please visit www.michigan.gov/whitmer/issues/michigan-infrastructure-office.
ABOUT THE MICHIGAN INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICE
The Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO) is responsible for organizing and executing Governor Whitmer’s vision for infrastructure, coordinating across state government, marshaling resources, and partnering with local officials, federal partners, and outside stakeholders to ensure resources sent to Michigan through BIL, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), are used efficiently and effectively.
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