The under-construction Ford BlueOval Battery Park Michigan site is still a ways away from producing lithium iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries for EVs, but still, it has faced quite a bit of adversity over the past several months. Aside from questions from the U.S. government regarding the automaker’s decision to license battery tech from China-based manufacturer CATL, Ford BlueOval Battery Park Michigan has also been the center of a legal battle from local residents, too. However, their legal challenge against the site has failed yet again.
It all began when the Committee for Marshall – Not the Megasite filed a lawsuit last year arguing that its petition seeking a citywide vote on an ordinance that rezoned hundreds of acres where the future Ford EV battery plant will reside was unfairly rejected. Earlier this year, a court dismissed an amended complaint from the committee filed against the city of Marshall and the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance (MAEDA), a decision that it appealed shortly thereafter.
Back in March, the Michigan Court of Appeals granted the Committee’s request to expedite its appeal against the city of Marshall, the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance (MAEDA), and City Clerk Michelle Eubank, which was a big win for the committee. However, according to The Detroit News, the Michigan Court of Appeals ultimately decided to uphold the lower court’s decision to dismiss the lawsuit.
In its decision, the appeals court noted that residents organized under the Committee for Marshall – Not the Megasite don’t have the legal right to a ballot referendum on a Marshall ordinance containing appropriations. As such, the Ford BlueOval Battery Park site will continue to inch toward completion, though as Ford Authority reported back in April, the plant will have a smaller footprint than originally expected when it comes online.
We’ll have more on Ford BlueOval Battery Park Michigan soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for non-stop Ford news coverage.
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I’m surprised Whitmer doesn’t have a welcome china signs out and I would’ve been really nice if she would’ve had this putting her backyard 😡😡😡😡