EIBC members and senior level executives in the advanced energy sector from across the country are meeting in DC today and tomorrow to develop and strengthen relationships and discuss hot energy topics of 2012 and beyond. Stay tuned for a recap of the event in next week’s newsletter.
Save the date! On January 9, EIBC will be hosting an after work reception in Lansing for EIBC member companies to meet with members of the new Legislature and discuss the future of advanced energy in Michigan. More details to follow.
On Wednesday December 19, the Energy Innovation Business Council is hosting a legislative and congressional update webinar from noon-1:25 p.m. Lame duck sessions in the Michigan Legislature and in Congress have been eventful and EIBC has participated on select issues of importance to our members. The 2013-14 Legislature and Congress are taking shape. Join us on this call for an update on what has happened and what might be expected.
- Dial-in Number: 1-218-936-4141
- Access Code: 817-5097
- Desktop Sharing Link: Webinar
Upcoming events
The winter series of free entrepreneur workshops at the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center begins in January. The first workshop takes place on Jan. 9 from 6-9 p.m. The workshop will address basic questions about starting a business including: what it takes to get started, why a business plan is important, financial considerations and community resources.
Registration is open for the PV America East Conference, which takes place Feb. 5-7, 2013, in Philadelphia. This annual event brings photovoltaic solar manufacturers and service providers together with installers, contractors, engineers and policymakers from the Eastern United States to network and discuss the state of the industry.
A workshop on nano and micro scale manufacturing is being planned for May 22-23, 2013 in Dearborn. Organizers are now soliciting abstracts for speakers, panelists, and posters. According to the organizers, “This is an opportunity for manufacturers to connect with researchers and discuss how to speed up the commercialization of nano and micro technologies and move them from the laboratory to the factory floor.”
Member news
Earlier this year, Venture for America ran a great spotlight of Accio Energyengineer Tim Dingman. “I wanted to combine my technical skillset with my organizational and creative abilities to make an immediate impact,” Dingman said.
News you can use
- Tuscola Today wrote a great summary of the proposed Personal Property Tax repeal as it applies to wind farms. EIBC has been actively engaged in ensuring the advanced energy sector has a seat at the table for these tax discussions, and have been aggressively pushing to include industry-supported language involving tax payments to local governments. This issue will be discussed during the Weds. Dec. 19 special webinar on the lame duck session. Call-in information is above.
- Fierce Energy recaps renewable energy progress for 2012, arguing that it has been a year of transition.
- According to Crain’s Detroit Business, businesses, farmers and environmental groups joined together to urge Congress to extend wind and solar energy tax credits
- The Zeeland Board of Public Works announced that it will purchase power from the wind farm now under construction in Gratiot County to boost its renewable energy portfolio.
- A new solar project was launched in Saginaw last week as part of Consumers Energy’s experimental advanced renewable program. The utility company will buy energy generated by Saginaw’s 96 panels for up to 15 years.
Source: EIBC
