Spring Institute
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
East Lansing Marriott
$100 Registration Rate | $20 Student Members
The MI Healthy Climate Plan lays out a pathway for Michigan to reach 100% carbon neutrality by 2050. The responsibility for implementing this Plan and refining it belongs to all of us including community leaders and advocates from cities, villages, and townships across Michigan. Both rural and urban planners and officials each have a role to play.
MAP’s Spring Institute: Renewable Energy Summit will address how planners can meet the economic, social, environmental and climate challenges of the future.
|
Opening Keynote Cory Connolly, Michigan's Chief Climate Officer |
Lunch Keynote Shalanda Baker, U-M's Vice Provost for Sustainability and Climate Action |
Learn about utility scale renewables, the EGLE Energy Management Guidebook, EV infrastructure, Detroit's solar neighborhoods, and much more at breakout sessions and general sessions.
AICP Planners can earn up to 6.5 CM Credits.
AGENDA
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. Welcome | Opening Remarks | Overview
Andrea Brown, AICP, Executive Director Michigan Association of Planning, Sarah Mills, PhD, Director Center for EmPowering Communities at U-M’s Graham Sustainability Institute
8:45 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Opening Keynote: MI Healthy Climate Plan
Cory Connolly, Michigan's Chief Climate Officer will highlight the progress made since the MI Healthy Climate Plan was released in 2022.
9:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. General Session: EGLE Energy Services Meeting Communities Where They Are
This dynamic session explores EGLE's Energy Services Unit's evolving support for communities across Michigan and across the urban-rural spectrum. It highlights available resources, training, and funding for local governments as they work towards their sustainability goals. Learn more about sustainability networks such as Michigan Green Communities and the Catalyst Leadership Circle, how to tap into EGLE's many funding opportunities and capacity-building opportunities, and dive into the newest planning and zoning tools for renewable energy.
Julie Staveland, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy | Danielle Beard, Michigan Green Communities| Mary Reilly, AICP, MSU Extension | Madeleine Krol, University of Michigan Center for EmPowering Communities
11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Break Out Sessions
Powering Up Michigan Communities for Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are rapidly becoming a cornerstone of Michigan’s clean transportation future, and local communities will play a key role in ensuring the charging infrastructure is ready to meet growing demand. This session offers a comprehensive and accessible overview of EV charging infrastructure. Attendees will learn the basics of EV charging technology, explore the current state of EV infrastructure in Michigan, and walk away with concrete ideas for how cities and towns can prepare for and benefit from this transition. The session will also highlight major funding opportunities and programs that can help bring EV charging to your community.
Chase Attanasio, Clean Fuels Michigan
Technical Assistance Gallery Walk
This interactive and informal event provides the opportunity for attendees to stroll among speaker stations, ask the experts questions, find your counterpart from another municipality and ask about THEIR local challenges and solutions, or find a quiet corner to check email. This lead up to the Keynote Lunch is YOUR time to network and learn.
Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy | Michigan Saves| Michigan State University Extension | University of Michigan Graham Sustainability Institute | DTE
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. KEYNOTE LUNCHEON
Shalanda H. Baker is the University of Michigan’s first vice provost for sustainability and climate action. She joined the university after serving as the Director of the Office of Energy Justice and Equity at the U.S. Department of Energy. Prior to her appointment, she was a Professor of Law, Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University. She was the co-founder and co-director of the Initiative for Energy Justice, which provides technical law and policy support to communities on the front lines of climate change. Baker served as an Air Force officer prior to her honorable discharge pursuant to the then existing “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy, and became a vocal advocate for repeal of the policy. She earned a BS in Political Science from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a JD from Northeastern University, and an LLM from the University of Wisconsin.
2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Break Out Sessions
Detroit Solar Goals
Detroit Solar Key goals of the Detroit Neighborhood Solar Initiative include repurposing 165 acres of vacant land across Detroit and ensuring neighbors led the design of the solar fields. Launched in 2023, the initiative began with 19 neighborhoods applying to host solar projects, each focused on transforming blighted areas prone to illegal dumping. After over 60 community meetings, site assessments, and feasibility studies, five neighborhoods were selected in two phases. The project will generate 30.6 megawatts of solar energy—enough to bring 127 municipal buildings to net zero—while supporting sustainable land uses like agrivoltaics and pollinator habitats and providing energy efficiency upgrades for 265 nearby homes.
Tepfirah Rushdan, City of Detroit | Dara O’Byrne, AICP, City of Detroit
Playing Your Cards Right: Navigating Permitting for Large Renewables
Explore the new siting landscape for large-scale renewables with an innovative card set. In this session, participants will explore how common solar zoning items compare across the key permitting pathways that emerged from PA 233: the new State process, Compatible Renewable Energy Ordinances, and non-CREO ordinances that may or may not be "workable" for renewable energy developers. Designed for planners and local officials, the Renewable Energy Zoning Card Activity is a decision tool that helps identify your community's zoning priorities and the pathway that best fits those priorities. This interactive session will challenge participants to craft and tweak a solar zoning ordinance and balance community goals with renewable energy development.
Madeleine Krol, University of Michigan Center for EmPowering Communities | Ian O'Leary, Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy
3:45 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Plenary Discussion
This facilitated, general closing session will provide participants with the opportunity to exchange thoughts about the day's sessions, network and engage with peers, ask questions of the presenters who are able to stay to the end, and share personal experiences and anecdotes that relate to the day's topics. This “experience session” is back by popular demand, and closes the day on an intimate note. A rare opportunity to informally discuss and dig deeper into the institute's themes.
Facilitated by Sarah Mills
Bring a team and save $$$:
Register 4, the 5th comes free. Get your local leadership team on the same page, in the same place, at the same time to learn about the steps you can take at the local level to get ahead of the inevitable impacts and how to communicate to your residents and business leaders.
Thank you to these additional event sponsors!
