Critics are calling attention to a new dark money group that's linked to DTE Energy.
The group, Protect Our Values, supports the campaign of Joe Bellino for State Senate.
Nick Dodge is with the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. He says Bellino, in the state House, blocked a bill that DTE opposed. The bill would have let more people benefit from utility companies' rooftop solar programs. "The status quo has been protected for far too long, and we think something needs to change here, because we're not able to get legislation through to allow more people to take control of their energy costs," he says.
Protect Our Values is a spinoff of another dark money group, Michigan Energy First.
DTE Energy says it doesn't speak for either group. That's even though two DTE officials are leaders at Michigan Energy First.
