Ann Arbor Public Power Group Accuses DTE of Fronting Opposition Campaign
Ann Arbor ballot committee claims DTE Energy is using a front group to oppose municipal utility plans, citing filings that initially listed the company’s Detroit headquarters as the opposition’s address.
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN — A ballot committee aiming to establish a city-owned electric utility in Ann Arbor has accused Detroit-based DTE Energy of orchestrating opposition efforts through a front group, citing campaign filings that initially listed the utility company’s headquarters as the opposition committee’s address.
Ann Arbor for Public Power, which seeks voter approval to create the governing structure for a municipal utility to replace DTE Energy as the city’s electric provider, pointed to documents filed with the Washtenaw County clerk’s office that allegedly tie the Ann Arbor Responsible Energy Coalition to the state’s largest investor-owned energy company.
According to the ballot committee, the opposition group’s initial statement of organization filed in September listed DTE’s headquarters at “One Energy Plaza, Detroit” as both the mailing and street address. The filing also included an email address for Daniel Mahoney, DTE’s director of policy and regional affairs, as the committee’s contact email.
Opposition Group Changes Address
An amended statement of organization filed April 7 now shows an Ann Arbor address for the Ann Arbor Responsible Energy Coalition, along with a new email address at “contact@AnnArborEnergy.com,” according to the public power advocates.
The opposition group also received $25,000 in campaign contributions from the Edison Electric Institute, an association representing all investor-owned utility companies in the United States, Ann Arbor for Public Power noted in their accusations.
Claims of Astroturfing Campaign
“Establishing a faux grassroots group to undermine real local organizations like ours, or ‘astroturfing,’ is a deplorable tactic,” said Brian Geiringer, executive director of Ann Arbor for Public Power. “Instead of engaging in open debate, DTE is subverting democracy by using a front group to spread fear and misinformation. We believe Ann Arborites will see through the deception.”
The ballot initiative, if approved by voters, would establish the framework for Ann Arbor to transition from DTE’s service to a city-owned electric utility system. This would represent a significant shift for the community, which currently receives power from the Detroit-based company.
Opposition Response
Claire Benjamin, a spokesperson for the Ann Arbor Responsible Energy Coalition, provided an emailed statement indicating that DTE handled administrative matters for the group, though the complete response was not included in available documents.
The controversy highlights growing tensions over municipal utilities in Michigan, as communities increasingly consider alternatives to traditional investor-owned electric companies. Ann Arbor’s initiative represents one of the most significant challenges to DTE’s service territory in recent years.
Campaign finance filings reviewed by the Michigan Advance show the connection between the opposition group and DTE Energy through the shared addresses and personnel contacts in the original organizational documents.
