A coalition funded by DTE Energy has sued Ann Arbor, Michigan, in an effort to take away voters' power.
According to Michigan Public, the coalition wants to prevent people from choosing a ballot measure that could begin the process of replacing DTE Energy with a city-owned electric utility.
Here's what to know
The Ann Arbor Responsible Energy Coalition filed a lawsuit against the city and city clerk Jacqueline Beaudry over her decision to certify petition signatures connected to a proposed charter amendment, Michigan Public reported.
If voters see the proposal on the November ballot and approve it, the amendment would establish the city's Municipal Electric Utility Board.
In the complaint, the coalition contends that Ann Arbor for Public Power, or A2P2, failed to turn in the required number of valid signatures. It also maintains that Beaudry improperly permitted the group to add supplemental petition sheets after completing her first review, Michigan Public reported.
The suit further alleges that, even with the additional petition sheets included, the campaign remains almost 200 valid signatures below the threshold needed. It also claims the amendment runs afoul of the Home Rule City Act's single-subject rule because it covers more than one issue.
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According to Michigan Public, the city of Ann Arbor has not commented on this lawsuit.
More background
Fights over utilities can shape how people live their lives. They affect monthly bills, accountability during outages, and how responsive decision-makers are to community concerns.
The fight comes as many people across the country face ever-increasing utility bills and growing worries over being able to afford basic energy necessities.
Through the A2P2 campaign, supporters are trying to move Ann Arbor toward eventually breaking from DTE Energy and creating a public power alternative. Backers argue that would give the city more say over its energy future.
A win for the plaintiffs in this case could prevent voters from deciding whether Ann Arbor should take this first official step toward a locally owned utility structure.
What's being done?
According to Michigan Public, Brian Geiringer, executive director of Ann Arbor for Public Power, is on Beaudry's side.
"We're confident that Clerk Beaudry followed procedures correctly," Geiringer said. "Her reputation for both rigor and fairness is impeccable. This groundless lawsuit is a direct attack on the will of the people to have an alternative to DTE on the ballot this November."
Even if the measure clears the legal challenge, a yes vote would not instantly remove the current utility. Hypothetically, the vote would create the Municipal Electric Utility Board, and the board would then work toward the long-term objective of a city-owned system.
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