Dive Summary:
- Unions and business leaders in came together at a Minneapolis City Council meeting Thursday to oppose a potential city takeover of gas and electric utilities from Xcel Energy.
- The three and a half hours of testimony featured over 50 speakers, including energy activists saying the public takeover idea merits further study, but City Council members did not speak and will not vote until Aug. 15.
- A number of private citizens also spoke out against the takeover on behalf of their wallets, though Deputy City Attorney Peter Ginder assured attendees that the city wouldn't be required to move forward with a municipal utility even if it's placed on the ballot in the fall by City Council and passes.
From the article:
... “I’m opposed to this takeover,” said Peter Dvergsten. “Between taking over the gas and electric utilities and streetcars back downtown, I don’t know which idea is the worst.”
“My pocketbook is running pretty close to empty,” he said. “My options are running out, but one of my options is to sell the house and move out. Where? I don’t know, but North Dakota is looking pretty good.” ...