Ann Arbor's Proposal E is sparking debate over whether taking more control of DTE Energy's infrastructure is worth the financial, legal and operational risks.
The group Voters for a Sustainable A2 call it misguided. Ann Arbor City Council voted on Oct. 5 to challenge the legality of the proposal.
Ann Arbor City Council member Erica Briggs says Proposal E conflicts with the city’s charter and could derail the city's work on creating a Sustainable Energy Utility.
"This proposal is fiscally reckless. Elements of the ordinance conflict with the city's charter in terms of the authorities that are currently designated to city council and the city administrator. We're also worried about what the impacts might be on our other priorities, particularly on advancement of our sustainable energy utility, which voters just approved in November 2024. And we're getting some momentum behind that, and we really don't want to slow that progress."
Brian Geiringer, executive director of Ann Arbor for Public Power, says city officials' reservations are misplaced. He and other supporters say a publicly owned utility would give residents more influence over electricity policy.
"The City Council has attempted to act as though they are the experts in the room, while in fact they're not experts on municipalization. There is an expert in the room. And his name is Ross Hammersley and he's one of the co-authors of Proposal E. He's a municipalization attorney. I don't want to speculate on council members' motivations or the mayor's. What I can say is that it's financially reckless to allow Ann Arborites to be stuck with DTE. And, it's also reckless when it comes to people's wellbeing because our power keeps going out, and it's reckless to the planet."
Geiringer says Proposal E only creates the framework for a future feasibility study and possible transition to public power, rather than immediately purchasing DTE's equipment.
Geiringer says he is confident that Proposal E is legal and consistent with state law and the current city charter.
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