DTE pours $1.8M into group opposing public takeover of its power grid in Ann Arbor

DTE Energy has invested $1.8 million into an opposition group called the “Ann Arbor Responsible Energy Coalition” to fight a proposed public takeover of its power grid in Ann Arbor. While DTE’s name is largely absent from the coalition’s public materials, campaign finance disclosures reveal the utility funded 96% of its war chest and was initially registered to DTE’s headquarters. The coalition argues that a city takeover would significantly increase utility bills and lead to high costs and litigation, while activists contend it’s a DTE “front group” designed to protect the utility’s profits.