The future EV battery plant known as Ford BlueOval Battery Park Michigan has thus far faced its fair share of obstacles over the past few months – some of them of the legal variety. Shortly after it was announced, some residents in Marshall, Michigan – where the future Ford EV battery plant is being built – filed a petition over a grievance regarding some required rezoning in the area, which was ultimately shot down, and later filed a lawsuit in an effort to allow residents of the town to vote on the matter. Regardless, Ford received the legal OK to proceed with its construction, though the automaker recently chose to downsize its production plans as demand for EVs has cooled somewhat. That legal challenge facing Ford BlueOval Battery Park Michigan was just dismissed last month, but now, the group that filed it has appealed that decision, according to the Battle Creek Enquirer.
The group – the Committee for Marshall – Not the Megasite – is officially appealing the dismissal of its previously-filed lawsuit, which aims to bring the matter of a necessary rezoning of the future EV battery plant site to a public vote. Judge William Marietti ruled that the committee – which is run by citizens of Marshall – is not legally qualified to argue for a breach of land transfer agreement, and noted that the city complied with all public notice requirements by holding a hearing on the proposed changes. However, the committee disagrees.
“The Committee knows an appeal is not only important in THIS case, but for future citizen referendums everywhere, not just in the City of Marshall,” committee members wrote in a joint statement. “If the Circuit Court’s ruling stands, the City of Marshall could effectively eliminate the referendum right by simply putting in an appropriation. This appeal is also important so that the city can’t restrict who can circulate a petition to just five people on the petition committee.”
“Ford’s BlueOval Battery Park Michigan is already creating local jobs, investment and opportunities across our region,” noted Jim Durian, CEO of the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance. “Hundreds of workers have been hired, new customers are visiting local businesses and spending money at our stores. We are watching with excitement as the steel goes up on this innovative facility that will create new career pathways for young people in the Marshall area. The opposition has already had its day in court, with multiple hearings, and the court has consistently ruled in our favor. Ongoing litigation does not help us move forward as a community. We remain confident the Court of Appeals will affirm the lower court’s decisions and allow this once-in-a-generation project to move forward and bring new jobs and investment to the region.”
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Comment
Our subsidy cut funding for EV projects as well. EVs are an illness no one wants.