Ann Arbor Group Pushes for Public Power Utility on 2026 Ballot

Ann Arbor Residents Push for Renewable Energy with Public Power Plan

In an ambitious move towards sustainability, a group in Ann Arbor is striving to establish a public electricity utility. The initiative, led by Ann Arbor for Public Power, aims to transition the city from its current provider, DTE Energy, to a municipally-owned service focusing solely on renewable energy sources.

The group is setting its sights on the November 2026 ballot, where they hope voters will support the creation of this public utility. To achieve this, they plan to gather 5,000 signatures from local residents. The proposed utility would not only shift the energy focus to renewables but also establish a governing board to oversee its operations.

Currently, DTE Energy, aims for net-zero carbon emissions, yet continues to rely on natural gas, offsetting emissions elsewhere. This has prompted Ann Arbor for Public Power to seek alternatives that align more closely with environmental goals.

“Basically we’re going to collect 5,000 signatures from Ann Arborites, and see if this is something that people want to move forward with,” stated Brian Geiringer, the executive director of Ann Arbor for Public Power. The group is actively working on the petition language, inviting public input to shape the proposal.

Publicly-owned utilities are a proven concept, with approximately 40 existing in Michigan. Proponents argue that such a model could deliver more affordable and sustainable energy compared to DTE’s current offerings. Efforts to contact a DTE representative for their stance on this initiative were unsuccessful.

Should the ballot measure pass, the next phase involves a critical assessment of DTE’s infrastructure in Ann Arbor. This evaluation is crucial for the public utility to acquire the necessary assets, though Geiringer anticipates potential legal challenges regarding the valuation process.

“As far as we understand it, they [DTE] don’t have a legal right to challenge the takeover, but they have a legal right to challenge the cost,” Geiringer clarified, indicating a complex road ahead.

Note: DTE Energy is a corporate sponsor of Michigan Public.