LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Michigan Infrastructure Office is looking for organizations to host local “clean energy champions” who can help communities tap into millions in available federal funding.
The Elective Pay Ambassador Program (EPAP), announced this week, will place ten trained advisors, one in each of Michigan’s prosperity regions, to guide nonprofits, schools, tribal governments, municipalities, and other tax-exempt organizations through the often-complicated process of claiming federal clean energy tax credits.
“Elective Pay is for entities that have never had a tax liability, so they can claim rebates after investing in clean energy projects like solar, wind, or electric vehicles — and get part of their dollars back as a direct cash payment,” explained Kristen Brady, Director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office’s Technical Assistance Center.
Host organizations will receive stipends of up to $70,000 to employ an ambassador, who will organize educational events, connect groups to free accounting services, and make sure clean energy projects include Elective Pay in their planning. The program’s goal is to bring at least five new clean energy projects into the pipeline in every region.
Brady said the effort is about more than dollars, it’s about making sure no one is left out. “We all play a role in reaching carbon neutrality, and these ambassadors will help even the smallest communities be part of that transition,” she said.
The initiative builds on early success in the Upper Peninsula, where the state has already helped four townships file for Elective Pay. Brady said those communities might have missed out without free accounting support to navigate the process.
Applications to host an Elective Pay Ambassador are open through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 31, 2025. The state expects to notify selected hosts in September, with training for ambassadors beginning in the fall.
Two educational webinars will provide more details:
- “Unlocking Elective Pay: MI Healthy Climate Challenge & Elective Pay Ambassador Program” – 1–2 p.m. Wednesday, August 13
- “A Deep Dive into Elective Pay and How it Can Support Clean Energy Projects” – 1–2 p.m. Tuesday, August 19
More information and the online application are available at the Michigan Infrastructure Office Technical Assistance Center website.
