As urged before the recent Board meeting, such mediation discussions cost the County minimal money and do not bind it to thereafter litigate. Invitees should include representatives from Consumers Energy, MPSC, the Trump Administration, and the Whitmer Administration.
For these mediation discussions to be successful for Ottawa County, it is vitally important that the Ottawa County Board keep all of its legal options available and ready to use if mediation discussions do not conclude satisfactorily, so as to win this battle over the dangerous “net zero” agenda being thrust upon us, with Campbell being the first major casualty for us. That includes litigation in accordance with Article VII, Section 15 of the Constitution of the State of Michigan, and municipalization in accordance with the home rule county charter option (at least on a temporary basis). Ottawa County has the legal ability to kick Consumers Energy out of Ottawa County and get local control of its electric; this option should not be precluded. In any serious battle, in order to win, you use all the weapons you have.