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Our Work: I3 Responds to Michigan Climate Plan Industrial Provisions

On April 18, 2022, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released Michigan’s Healthy Climate Plan for midcentury decarbonization. Since September 2020, The Michigan Council on Climate Solutions — an advisory body in the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) — has been working with stakeholders to develop strategies to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 52 percent by 2030 as an interim target on the way to 2050. To gather stakeholder input, the Council created five working groups focused on the major emissions sources, Buildings and Housing, Energy Intensive Industries, Energy Production, Natural and Working lands and Forest Products, and Transportation and Mobility. Combined, these workgroup recommendations informed the buildout of the plan.

In January of this year, the Council released an early iteration of the plan for public input. In response, I3 submitted comments commending key provisions to future-proof Michigan’s local industry, calling for additional action in line with the Energy Intensive Industries Work Group recommendations, which provided the basis for the plan’s decarbonization strategies for industry.

States are in a prime position to lead on industrial decarbonization by developing policies and plans that put decarbonization into a local context. As the plan details, Michigan has deep historical ties to the industrial and manufacturing sectors and the network of jobs they create. Industries like cement, steel, and chemicals bring tremendous local value to Michigan but also contribute significantly to overall greenhouse gas emissions. As the 5th largest advanced manufacturing workforce in the country, Michigan’s carbon-neutral ambition has important precedence for states looking to reduce emissions from the industrial sector. Already, Michigan has cut industry emissions by more than 23 percent, with the potential to achieve as much as a 45 percent reduction by 2030 when compared to 2005 levels.

The Michigan Healthy Climate Plan highlights several key strategies to drive clean innovation in the industrial sector:

  • Create stronger procurement programs
  • Increase the state’s recycling rate and develop markets for recycled materials
  • Encourage clean innovation hubs with the meaningful involvement of communities
  • Advance energy efficiency and process improvements
  • Explore carbon capture in areas where alternative decarbonization methods are not feasible

Below, we take stock of the objectives for industry outlined in the final plan and how they align with the priorities laid out in I3’s Federal and State Policy Blueprint:

EFFICIENT FACILITIES

Improving efficiency comes with many co-benefits. As noted in both I3’s Blueprint and Michigan’s plan, taking measures to address efficiency can lower energy and production costs. Michigan’s plan also calls attention to the potential for job creation for the workforce needed to implement efficiency measures. The plan goes on to emphasize the role that combined heat and power can play in improving the efficiency of facilities.

CLEANER PRODUCTS

Public and private sector procurement standards are a powerful tool for industrial decarbonization that builds market confidence in the deployment of low-carbon technologies and products.  In alignment with I3’s recommendations, Michigan’s plan identifies expanding low-carbon procurement opportunities as a priority, particularly lower-carbon cement. The plan highlights the growth of a circular economy by spurring market development for recycled or lower-carbon materials to reduce waste, and specifically plans to prioritize support for disadvantaged businesses.

CLEAN INNOVATION HUBS

Clean industrial hubs provide a nexus for several decarbonization solutions. By co-locating facilities, decarbonization solutions can be deployed more cost-effectively through shared infrastructure and more efficient use of materials and energy. This is particularly salient for hydrogen and carbon management infrastructure. It is important to note, as both the Michigan plan and the I3 blueprint do, that the siting of these hubs and their environmental justice concerns must be carefully considered with meaningful involvement from impacted communities.

In addition to the above recommendations specific to industry, Michigan’s plan includes other cross-cutting strategies that can help accelerate decarbonization in the industrial sector, including:

  • Adopting a technology-neutral, performance-based Clean Fuels Standard to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels. Not only would this policy help Michigan meet its electrification goals, but it would pair well with cleaner innovation hubs, which may serve as sites of increased industrial activity when making those fuels.
  • Statewide energy planning to assist with the vast expansion of available zero-carbon electricity in the state will help Michigan advance its goal of 60 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
  • Commitment to environmental justice and a just transition, including the use of environmental justice screening tools in decision-making processes, workforce development, and training considerations, and in line with the Biden Administration’s Justice40 Initiative.

The State of Michigan has a crucial role to play in advancing the suite of strategies and solutions necessary for the industrial and manufacturing sector to decarbonize. Since welcoming comments on the first iteration of the plan, Michigan has raised its level of ambition by outlining a more thorough approach to industrial decarbonization and including many of the recommendations highlighted in I3’s comments.

In the coming months, the Office of Climate and Energy within EGLE will begin implementing the plan with the Council on Climate Solutions and Michigan Advisory Council on Environmental Justice, providing advice, feedback, and guidance. EGLE will submit reports updating the public on the plan’s progress on an annual basis, and the Council is slated to meet again on June 21 to discuss the next steps.

Stay Up to Date 

Subscribe to the Industrial Innovation Initiative’s monthly newsletter to stay up-to-date on what states are leading the way on industrial decarbonization. If you would like to be involved in I3’s state-level working group, please reach out to David Soll at dsoll@gpisd.net.

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Ankita Gangotra, Associate, WRI

Dr. Ankita Gangotra Associate, WRI United States Dr. Ankita Gangotra is an Associate in WRI’s US Climate Program, researching avenues to decarbonize the industrial sector, focusing on cement and steel decarbonization, environmental trade policies and international cooperation. Prior to joining WRI, Ankita was a postdoctoral research fellow in the School of Foreign Service and the Department of Physics at Georgetown University. Her research looked at the readily available technology and policy options for upgrading low-carbon cement production in the United States. Ankita has an integrated Master's in Electronics Engineering with Nanotechnology from the University of York, UK (2015) and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Auckland, New Zealand (2020). During her time in New Zealand, Ankita interned at the Office of the Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor looking into equity, diversity and inclusion policy options for New Zealand’s science, research and innovation workforce.

Carrie Dellesky, Program and Outreach Manager, Carbon Removal and Industrial Innovation

Carrie Dellesky is the Program and Outreach Manager for Carbon Removal and Industrial Innovation. She develops strategies to advance policies and practices for scaling up a suite of carbon removal approaches and decarbonizing the industrial sector. She engages allies and builds and expands partnerships to mobilize champions and enhance visibility, action and impact. She also leads communications to amplify research and thought leadership, including messaging, media relations, event planning, social media and digital strategy.

Zachary Byrum, Research Analyst, WRI United States

Zachary Byrum is a Research Analyst in WRI's U.S. Climate Program, where he provides technology and policy analysis for carbon removal and deep decarbonization. His work focuses on pathways to reduce industrial emissions as well as bolstering technological carbon removal. Prior to WRI, Zach was a research assistant in the Carbon Management Research Initiative at the Center on Global Energy Policy. In the preceding years, he served as White House Intern in the National Economic Council under the Obama Administration and then an assistant analyst at the Congressional Budget Office. Zach holds a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University and a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Goucher College.

Katie Lebling, Associate

WRI United States. Katie Lebling is an Associate in WRI's Climate Program where she works on research and analysis of technological carbon removal approaches and industrial decarbonization. Before joining WRI, she worked at The Asia Group, and interned at the Woodrow Wilson Center’s China Environment Forum and the Treasury Department’s Office of Environment and Energy. She holds a Master's degree from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Energy, Resources, and the Environment, where she spent one year of the program studying in Nanjing, China, and has a B.A. from Colby College in Biology and Chinese language.

Debbie Weyl, Deputy Director, WRI United States

Debbie Karpay Weyl is the Deputy Director for WRI U.S. She previously served as Manager for the Buildings Initiative at WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. She led an expanding global partnership to accelerate building energy efficiency in cities around the world. She also contributed to program management and development, research, and knowledge exchange for urban energy efficiency and sustainability. Debbie joined WRI from CLASP, a global non-profit organization that improves the environmental and energy performance of appliances, lighting and equipment. From 2011-2016 Debbie managed and developed global programs, led research projects, and facilitated collaboration among international experts and other representatives in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Prior to joining CLASP, Debbie worked at the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, where she was a contractor supporting building efficiency and other energy efficiency programs in the United States. Debbie holds a Master of Science in Environment and Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a B.A. in Politics (Political Economy and International Relations) from Princeton University.

Angela Anderson, Director of Industrial Innovation and Carbon Removal, WRI United States

Angela Anderson is the Director of Industrial Innovation and Carbon Removal in the Climate Program. She leads WRI's growing portfolio of work in industrial decarbonization and carbon removal and aims to change narratives around “hard-to-abate” sectors and promote the natural and technological interventions required to achieve net-zero targets. Prior to joining WRI, Angela worked as a program director, coalition builder, international advocate, and campaign strategist. She led the Climate and Energy Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists for ten years; facilitated US-NGO engagement in the international climate negotiations while at US Climate Action Network and at the Pew Environmental Trust; and founded Clear the Air, a national coalition to reduce pollution from power plants. Angela holds a B.A. in political science from Colorado State University.

Patrice Lahlum, Vice President (Interim), Carbon Management, Great Plains Institute (GPI)

Patrice Lahlum is the President/Owner of Riverwind Consulting, LLC, based in West Fargo, ND, and provides clients with a wide range of consulting services including marketing, communications and policy development and analysis. Current areas of focus are agriculture, energy, natural resources, and organizational development. Lahlum currently works as a consultant to the Great Plains Institute (GPI) on their communications, transmission and biomass programs. Named as one of the region’s “40 Under 40” business leaders by Prairie Business Magazine in 2011, Lahlum has more than 15 years of experience in agriculture and energy policy, project management, public relations, fundraising, media (conventional and social) outreach, group consensus development and facilitation. Renewable energy is a significant focus of Lahlum’s work, having led the effort to organize the first ever renewable energy summit in North Dakota. That summit led to the creation of the North Dakota Alliance for Renewable Energy (NDARE). Lahlum served as the elected chair of NDARE from 2009-2012 and served on the board of directors from 2008-2012.

Kate Sullivan, Senior Program Coordinator – Carbon Management, Great Plains Institute (GPI), With GPI since 2019

Kate Sullivan joined the Great Plains Institute in 2019. As Senior rogram Coordinator, Kate uses her analytical and design skills to provide research, writing, and logistical support across the Carbon Management team. Prior to joining GPI, Kate worked as an Energy Counselor in the Center for Energy and Environment’s residential department, assisting homeowners with their energy needs and providing resources for efficiency upgrades. Kate earned her BA in Biology from St. Olaf College with an emphasis in Environmental Studies.

David Soll, Industrial Decarbonization Manager, Great Plains Institute (GPI), With GPI since 2023

David Soll joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023 and serves as Industrial Decarbonization Manager. He oversees the Industrial Innovation Initiative, a coalition advancing decarbonization solutions for the Midcontinent region’s most important industrial sectors. Prior to joining GPI, he taught history and environmental studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he focused on urban infrastructure and energy conservation. David earned a Master’s in government from the University of Texas at Austin and a PhD in history from Brandeis University.

Jill Syvrud, Senior Program Manager - Carbon Management, Great Plains Institute (GPI). With GPI since 2017.

Jill Syvrud joined the Great Plains Institute in 2017 and serves as the program manager for the Carbon Management Program. In addition to overseeing the overall program, Jill directly supports the Industrial Innovation Initiative, a coalition advancing decarbonization solutions for the Midcontinent region’s most important industrial sectors. Jill earned a bachelor of science in biology from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and a master of science degree in science technology and environmental policy from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Jill’s past experience includes multiple graduate research assistantships concentrating on technology innovation and sustainable megacities along and a previous position as an administrative and outreach coordination intern with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.