Detroit Summit Highlights Michigan’s Leadership in Creating a Clean Energy Future

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Mayor Mike Duggan, and National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi Headline Detroit Summit on the Impact of Historic Federal Investments in a Clean Energy Economy

DETROIT, MI – The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit hosted the Clean Economy and Community Impact Summit, highlighting Michigan’s pivotal role in advancing the nation’s clean energy economy. Presented by Emerson Collective, Elemental Excelerator, Climate Power, E2, and Ceres, the summit was emceed by Former Senior Advisor to the President Mitch Landrieu and featured keynote speakers Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor, and White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. Also featured were business and community leaders like President and CEO of Michigan Saves Chanell Scott Contreras, Executive Director of the AFL-CIO Michigan Workforce Development Institute Chong-Anna Canfora, Executive Director of Hope Village Revitalization Jeff Jones, and more, highlighting individuals and groups working on the front lines of the clean energy revolution in Michigan and beyond.  

At the summit, Aimee Witteman, Vice President of Investment at Rewiring America, announced the launch of a Michigan-specific incentives calculator, which is a one stop shop to help Michiganders save money through federal, state, and local rebates and tax incentives. 

The event emphasized the transformative impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), as well as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and the CHIPS and Science Act, showcasing how these historic investments are driving economic growth, creating good-paying jobs, and addressing the climate crisis in Michigan and beyond.

“Michigan’s clean energy future is bright,” said Governor Whitmer. “With the game-changing clean energy package I signed to lower costs, create jobs, and reduce pollution and the Biden-Harris administration’s historic legislation to bring clean manufacturing and critical supply chains back home to Michigan, we are poised to lead the future. We will keep working together to lower costs for tens of thousands of Michigan families while improving their quality of life and protecting the precious natural resources that we, and future generations of Michiganders, rely on. Let’s keep rolling up our sleeves and facing climate change with climate action.”

Key Highlights of the Summit:

• Announcement of the Michigan Incentives Calculator: Rewiring America launched a Michigan-specific incentives calculator, providing residents with a comprehensive tool to access federal, state, and local rebates and tax incentives for affordable and energy-saving all-electric home appliances. This tool is designed to help Michiganders maximize their savings while contributing to a sustainable future. The online tool can be accessed HERE. 
• Special Remarks and Keynote Addresses: Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Mayor Mike Duggan, Mayor Andy Schor, National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi, Mitch Landrieu and local business and community leaders discussed the significant economic and environmental benefits of federal investments in clean energy.
• Panel Discussions: Topics included the impact of the IRA, BIL, and CHIPS Act on Michigan’s economy, strategies for leveraging federal resources, and the role of public-private partnerships in driving tangible impact for communities.
• Networking and Engagement: Attendees connected with key stakeholders, including federal, state, and local officials, business leaders, and community advocates, fostering collaboration to advance Michigan’s clean energy goals.

“The historic federal investments from the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act have unleashed a manufacturing and clean energy boom across the country,” said Mitch Landrieu. “Here in Michigan, these investments are lowering energy costs, creating good-paying jobs, supporting small businesses, and creating healthier, more resilient communities.

“Detroit does more than just talk about climate solutions. We were looking at ways to create enough solar energy to power all 127 municipal buildings in the city. The problem was that we couldn’t make the numbers work, financially. That was until President Biden passed the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “The 30% tax credit we are eligible for under IRA is allowing us to turn 250 acres of blighted vacant land into solar arrays. Not only are we doing it without forcing a single resident to move if they don’t want to, we are providing $15,000 per home for owner occupants in the neighborhood so they can make energy efficiency upgrades to their homes. Imagine the message that it will send to cities around the country when Detroit is able to move all of its government buildings to renewable, non-fossil fuel power.”

“It’s always great to talk about the amazing growth in Lansing! With the help of the Biden administration through the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Lansing has been a leader in pushing for a better and more sustainable future,” said Lansing Mayor Andy Schor. “I am always proud to tell our story and was excited to share this with the incredible group of assembled people today, and to help others to take advantage of these opportunities the way Lansing has. We will continue to ensure that our growth is smart and sustainable.”

“I’m thrilled to be supporting this event today as Michigan brings us closer to a greener future,” said Elemental Excelerator COO Avra van der Zee. “Amid historic federal investments in climate innovation, it is exciting to see Michigan leading the way in prioritizing clean energy that puts communities first and makes neighborhoods cleaner and safer.”

“Michigan is leading the nation’s clean energy boom,” said Climate Power Executive Director Lori Lodes. “Thanks to the federal and state clean energy plans, Michigan is home to 45 new clean energy projects, sparking nearly $22 billion in investments and over 20,000 new jobs. The Biden-Harris administration, working in partnership with Governor Whitmer and Michigan officials, is helping bring down energy costs, create good-paying jobs, and protect our clean air and water.”

“Historic climate action at both the federal level and in Michigan is great for our planet and our economy — but also for Michiganders homes, health, wallets, and future,” said Vice President of Investment at Rewiring America Aimee Witteman. “How much can you get to help you make these high-efficiency upgrades to your home? Rewiring America can help answer that quickly and easily with a free online calculator that pulls federal and local incentives together in one place.”

“I was pleased to participate in today’s Clean Economy and Community Impact Summit,” said President of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council Dr. Laura Sherman. “Michigan is already leading the Midwest in clean energy jobs and the clean energy economy is strong across the state. Michigan EIBC looks forward to working with local, state, and federal leaders to ensure that Michigan’s businesses, communities, and citizens continue to reap the benefits from the multitude of opportunities created by the landmark federal and state clean energy laws.”

This event is one in a series of nationwide gatherings aimed at building a broad coalition to support the nation’s climate objectives through investment in a clean energy economy. More information about the Clean Economy and Community Impact Summit, including a full list of speakers, can be found HERE. 

Image selects for the Clean Economy and Community Impact Summit are available HERE. Photo credit should be given to, “Barbara Kinney, Emerson Collective.”

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Emerson Collective is a company that invests in entrepreneurs and innovators driven by purpose and a sense of possibility, working to create a world of abundance for future generations. We are a community of change-makers, diverse and disparate in backgrounds, with a core belief that we should not accept the world as it is.

Elemental Excelerator is a nonprofit investor focused on scaling climate technologies with deep community impact. We bring more than a decade of experience across the climate sector, with an active and maturing portfolio of 150+ companies. Elemental fills two gaps fundamental to addressing climate change: funding projects for climate technologies in communities, and embedding equity and access into climate solutions. We invest in transformative technologies to create a systems change for a more resilient, equitable future.

Climate Power is a strategic communications organization focused on winning the politics of climate. They’re educating Americans about climate progress, highlighting how clean energy investments benefit local communities, and holding Big Oil accountable for polluting our air and water. They use data-backed messages to pave a path for bold action and shine a light on the price of ignoring the climate crisis would cost our health, economy, and future generations.

E2 is a national, nonpartisan group of business leaders, investors, and professionals from every sector of the economy who advocate for smart policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment.

Ceres is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more just, and sustainable economy. With our powerful networks of investors and companies, we are proving sustainability is the bottom line – changing markets and sectors from the inside out.