Detroit City Council Special Session on Solar Energy Contracts - June 23, 2026

The Detroit City Council held a special session on June 23, 2026, to consider amendments to contracts for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the city's solar photovoltaic energy development project. The amendments were necessitated by the failure of original developer LightStar Renewables to proceed, leading to an assignment of its contracts to DTE Energy. The council heard extensive public testimony, debated the project's merits and drawbacks, and ultimately approved the contract amendments for two of the three line items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Lois Thomas (President, SEAL Solutions for Energy Efficient Logistics) expressed full support for the project, citing immediate benefits to residents through energy efficiency upgrades and clean energy accessibility.
• Diane Van Buren (Green Task Force, D2 Solar, Renewable Energy Committee) supported the project, highlighting the positive progress at Van Dyke Lynch and the need for solar to combat rising energy costs and climate change.
• Diane Chocik (District 6 resident) voiced support, arguing solar is essential to fight climate change and meet the city's 2019 carbon emissions targets.
• Dewana Vergesse (Walker Miller Energy Services, Van Dyke Lynch program manager) reported positive community feedback, including pride in solar panels and appreciation for transparency.
• John Gruchala (resident for 53 years) opposed the project, stating he lost a lot through eminent domain, had no meetings about just compensation, and spent 30 years reclaiming the land.
• Jared Rogers (State Fair neighborhood resident) expressed frustration, saying he was promised upgrades but has not received any work after a year and numerous contractor visits.
• Evangela Thomas (east side resident, recipient of upgrades) supported the project, describing it as "God sent" for receiving a new roof, furnace, water heater, and insulation.
• Misha Parker (president of Carrie Neighborhood Block Club, District 4) supported the project, noting she received a roof, appliances, and window blocks, and that blight removal improved the neighborhood.
• Donnis Anthony (District 4 resident) asked the council to let the community continue to develop with the solar field project, noting it removed 23.2 acres of blight.
• Jordan Smith (District 7 resident, IBEW apprentice working at Castle Solar Farm) spoke in support, saying the project provides good foundational job opportunities for apprentices.
• Byron Osburn (District 5 resident, business agent for IBEW Local 58) supported the project, stating it opens apprenticeship opportunities and that Detroiters are highly interested.
• Yvette Williams (born and raised in Detroit) opposed the project, arguing that use restrictions lower property values by 10–40%, that the burden falls on homeowners while corporations benefit, and that information is not being shared with the public.
• Darren McCleskey (Greenfield Park area, District 3, resident since 1971) opposed the project, stating the rollout has been hostile, proper notification was not given, and the zoning change makes properties useless for residential sale.
• Joanne Warwick (resident) opposed, citing a $100 million Clean Air Act penalty against DTE, fire risks from solar farms, lack of environmental due diligence, and that renewable energy credits are the real motive.
• Didante Semester (online caller) opposed the project, arguing the city should use city-owned land instead of taking private property via eminent domain, and raised concerns about contaminated dirt near solar farms.
• William M. Davis (online caller) expressed strong support for renewable energy but urged caution with eminent domain and called for citywide home improvements, not just in solar neighborhoods.
• Sandra Turner Handy (executive director, Denby Neighborhood Alliance) supported the contract transfer, saying residents in her area want their promised upgrades and that the project reduces health disparities.
• Mr. Foster (online caller) opposed, citing DTE scandals (private jets, no federal income tax, $100 million pollution fine, dark money) and argued the city should not partner with DTE.
• Bobby Hurt (online caller) called the contract fraudulent, said LightStar is no longer involved, and argued the city misappropriated funds and needs a full public hearing.
• Cindy Dara (online caller, connected late) complained about public comment procedures being cut off before the vote.

Discussion Items

• Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway opened discussion by stating she has voted against the project from day one, criticizing the lack of due diligence on LightStar's sale to Eagle Creek and then Apollo Global Management, and arguing DTE cannot be trusted (citing 120,000 disconnections). She said the project destabilizes neighborhoods.
• Councilmember Letitia Johnson asked about recourse against LightStar, the expiring tax credits, community benefits (agrivoltaics), and the role of Elevate. Administration officials (Trisha Stein, Corporation Counsel Mallet, Valerie Brader) explained that LightStar never signed a virtual power purchase agreement, so damages are minimal; tax credits expire July 4, 2026; DTE will assume all rights and responsibilities, but the agrivoltaics design cannot be replicated because DTE uses fixed racking systems instead of rotating panels. Elevate will no longer be a subcontractor.
• Councilmember Mary Waters asked about energy bill reductions, eminent domain usage, and job creation. Officials reported 20% reduction in energy usage for completed homes, 111 completed homes, and residents seeing $25–35 monthly savings. On eminent domain: 32 owner-occupied homes sold voluntarily (avg $125,000), 270 private vacant lots, 41 rental properties, with only a small number of eminent domain cases (11 for phase one, 6 for phase two). Jobs: approximately 230 currently from DTE's two projects, with an additional 50 expected from the assignment.
• Councilmember Renata Miller asked about how the city got here, cost increases, and community benefits. The administration explained LightStar's failure and the assignment to DTE at a fixed levelized cost of energy (LCOE) lower than LightStar's EPC bids.
• Councilmember Denzel Anton McCampbell asked about property values (O'Shea increased 41% over other solar neighborhoods), long-term land use after 35 years, and job numbers (low Detroit residency). He expressed concerns about costs, jobs, and the rushed timeline due to tax credits.
• Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero stated she supports solar and union jobs but cannot vote for this because DTE is a monopoly that charges high rates and should pay for the infrastructure itself.
• Council President Pro Tempore Coleman A. Young II asked about agrivoltaics and food insecurity, and recapped the cost comparison (Mistersky plant would cost $630 million vs. solar). He emphasized that the $6.6 billion savings from not rebuilding a coal plant could fund many other city priorities, and that property values have increased citywide.
• Councilmember Mary Waters also asked about property values and emphasized that owner-occupied homes were not taken via eminent domain.
• Councilmember Scott Benson (Green Task Force member) strongly supported the project, stating that DTE's renewable energy department has changed his thought process, that the project makes residents' lives better by removing blight and providing home improvements, and urged council not to let perfect be the enemy of good.
• Corporation Counsel Mallet clarified that DTE is contractually responsible for decommissioning and environmental indemnification after 35 years.
• Valerie Brader (external counsel) stated that Department of Energy tests show no soil contamination from solar panels, and that health benefits from clean energy are significant.
• Sean Gooder (DTE Director of Renewable Energy) explained DTE uses fixed racking systems because they are standard for operation and maintenance.
• Daniel Mahoney (DTE Director of Policy) briefly stated DTE is ready to fulfill commitments to customers.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Line Items 4.1 and 4.2 (contract amendments for Phase 1 and Phase 2 solar projects): Motion to approve passed with three nays (Councilmembers Callaway, McCampbell, and Santiago Romero). The motion carried.
• Line Item 4.3 (related contract): Motion to receive and file passed without objection.
• The council approved the assignment of LightStar's contracts to DTE Energy, authorizing the city to proceed with DTE as the developer for the three remaining solar neighborhoods (Houston-Whittier, State Fair, and Gratchett-Finley).
• The city will continue to honor commitments for energy efficiency upgrades in the impact areas, with DTE assuming responsibility for completion.
• Agrivoltaics plans under LightStar will be replaced with $5,000 per acre compensation to urban farmers and establishment of farm stands/community spaces.
• The contracts include provisions for DTE to decommission the solar arrays after 35 years and indemnify the city for any hazardous substance remediation.