Ann Arbor for Public Power Endorses City’s Plan for Municipalization

Ann Arbor for Public Power endorses the plan proposed by the city to move forward with municipalization, as decided by a vote of its membership. The plan includes moving forward with two resolutions to be voted on in the City Council’s February 18th meeting. One resolution would commission a Phase 2 Municipalization Feasibility Study to investigate the cost of municipalization. The other directs city staff to prepare a request for proposals for a legal analysis, which will  prepare a litigation strategy for acquiring DTE’s assets and calls for the city to place two questions on the ballot in November 2026. One to authorize the city to begin the acquisition of DTE’s assets, and one to fund these legal proceedings.

The decision to endorse the city’s plan for municipalization came after a town hall hosted by Ann Arbor for Public Power on February 2nd, where Mayor Christopher Taylor presented the pathway to public power as the city of Ann Arbor envisions it. The townhall was attended by roughly 70 members, online and in person, and featured questions and answers from the crowd. A2P2 members then voted on whether to endorse the plan presented by the mayor, or to take an alternate pathway without endorsement. After a week-long voting period, the members of A2P2 decided to endorse the city’s plan.

“This is the first time A2P2 has held a vote of the membership,” said Ann Arbor for Public Power Director Brian Geiringer, “I’m thrilled that so many people–from new volunteers to folks who have been active since the beginning–got involved in this momentous decision.”

Ann Arbor for Public Power has been in a public conversation with Ann Arbor elected officials regarding the way forward for public power in the city for months. City Council delayed a decision to approve a contract with NewGen Strategies and Solutions for a second feasibility study into municipalization during their Jan. 6 2025 meeting. This came after A2P2 requested a delay. The current endorsement aligns A2P2 and the city with regards to the feasibility study. We will continue to hold City Council accountable for managing the feasibility study and legal analysis with integrity, and for responding to the community’s wishes around municipalization.

“We’re very excited the City of Ann Arbor is preparing to take the necessary steps to achieve public power,” said Ann Arbor for Public Power President Greg Wooding, “we’re closer than ever to freeing ourselves from DTE’s dirty and unreliable power.”