An Opportunity to Decarbonize Michigan's Industrial Sector Assets

Dan Radomski

CEO, Centrepolis Accelerator

On June 15, The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $135 million for 40 projects that will reduce carbon pollution from the industrial sector and move the nation toward a net-zero emissions economy by 2050 by advancing key transformational and innovative technologies. In 2021, the U.S. industrial sector accounted for 35% of total U.S. end-use energy consumption and 33% of total U.S. energy consumption. The three largest energy consuming manufacturing subsectors—chemicals, petroleum and coal products, and paper—combined consumed nearly 70% of total manufacturing energy use in 2018. Total Emissions in 2021 from the U.S. industrial sector was 6,340 Million Metric Tons of CO₂ equivalent. Nearly 30% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come from industry, including indirect emissions from the sector's electricity consumption that is provided to these power hungry manufacturing operations. 

Michigan Executive Directive 2020-10 charged EGLE, through its Office of Climate and Energy (OCE), with developing the MI Healthy Climate Plan (Plan), the state’s action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition toward economy-wide carbon neutrality. Michigan is one of only 14 states with bold economy-wide goals of:

1. Reduce GHG emissions 28% below 2005 levels by 2025 and 52% by 2030

2. Achieve economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050

3. Maintain net negative GHG emissions thereafter.

The plan includes emission reduction targets, clean power goals and a target to triple Michigan’s recycling rate to 45% and cut food waste in half by 2030.

Michigan has a strong industrial base with over 10,000 manufacturers. It is essential that we support their transition to reduce energy consumption and emissions. By doing this effectively we also provide our local manufacturers with an opportunity to improve their operational margins and improve their global competitiveness.  

Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University is supporting this mission with several programs. Most are familiar with our C3 Accelerator which is focused on developing cleantech, climatech, circular economy products and helping them get manufactured in Michigan. Centrepolis is also a partner to RRS managing the NextCycle Michigan program funded by the Michigan Department Environment Great Lakes Energy (EGLE) focused on commercializing recycling, upcycling and sustainable material technologies that divert waste from landfills in the state.  The program also has a technical assistance program to support recycling feasibility and project planning and is open to both public and private entities. Lawrence Technological University now manages the RESTART program(Retired Engineers, Scientists, Technicians, Administrators, Researchers, and Teachers program), funded by EGLE. This program provides free energy and waste reduction assessments to any Michigan small to medium-sized manufacturing business and public institution of any size. Centrepolis has recently launched the MI Climate Wise Business Program,in partnership with Fresh Coast Climate Solutions, funded by the Erb Family Foundation. The program provides free sustainability assessments including Greenhouse Gas(GHG) emission analysis to any Southeast Michigan small to medium-sized manufacturing business.  

In August of this year, Centrepolis will launch an Industrial Decarbonization Innovation Challenge. The challenge will globally crowdsource best in class technologies that enable industrial process energy efficiencies and reduce emissions including low carbon fuels and electrification of equipment that typically uses natural gas. We have commitments from the Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), Michigan Economic Development Corporation and a few large corporate sponsors. We applaud the EGLE, the State of Michigan and the DOE for providing the support and resources to help our manufacturers improve their competitiveness through decarbonization.

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