The Michigan Public Service Commission announced on Friday that the state system to track Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) is now operating. The Michigan Renewable Energy Certification System (MIRECS) issues, tracks, and enables the trading of credits for energy generated through means other than fossil fuels. The system is internet-based and will allow for the tracking of every megawatt-hour of energy created by qualifying facilities. In addition to tracking RECs, the system also has the ability to track Advanced Cleaner Energy Credits and Michigan Incentive Renewable Energy Credits. 

The Department of Energy announced 37 projects which will receive Recovery Act funding through the newly formed Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E).  ARPA-E is dedicated to advancing America’s technological leadership by developing creative and inventive approaches to transform the global energy landscape.  The program awards grants to highly innovative and transformative research projects with the potential to achieve this goal.  These 37 projects represent the first round of funding and were chosen from over 3,600 applications.  Combined, the grants total $151 million of the $400 million which has been allocated through the Recovery Act to the agency.

October 28, 2009

On Tuesday, October 27, 2009 President Obama announced the allocation of Recovery Act funding for the enhancement of Smart Energy Grid capabilities.  Two Michigan companies, Detroit Edison Company (DTE) and Whirlpool Corporation, will benefit from this funding stream, receiving a combined total of over $100 million.  These grants represent a portion of the single largest energy grid modernization investment in U.S. history, with a nation-wide grand total of $3.4 billion. 

The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth (DeLEG) has issued a Request for Proposals for two grants under the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Program, utilizing federal funding provided to the Department of Energy through the Recovery Act.