City of Taylor v. Detroit Edison Co.

Michigan Supreme Court
Lansing, Michigan
Chief Justice: Justices:

Opinion Clifford W. Taylor Michael F. Cavanagh
Elizabeth A. Weaver
Marilyn Kelly
Maura D. Corrigan
Robert P. Young, Jr.
Stephen J. Markman

FILED MAY 31, 2006

CITY OF TAYLOR,

Plaintiff-Appellee,

v No. 127580

THE DETROIT EDISON COMPANY,

Defendant-Appellant.
_______________________________

BEFORE THE ENTIRE BENCH

YOUNG, J.

We granted leave to appeal in this case to reconcile plaintiff’s constitutional

authority to exercise “reasonable control” over its streets with the Michigan Public

Service Commission’s (MPSC) broad regulatory control over public utilities.

Consistent with our longstanding precedent, we hold that a municipality’s exercise

of “reasonable control” over its streets cannot impinge on matters of statewide

concern nor can a municipality regulate in a manner inconsistent with state law.

In this case, the MPSC has promulgated uniform rules governing the relocation of

utility wires underground. To the degree plaintiff’s ordinance on this subject

conflicts with the MPSC’s rules, the ordinance exceeds plaintiff’s power to
exercise “reasonable control” over its streets and is invalid. Furthermore, because

the question of allocation of costs for the relocation of utility wires underground

falls under the primary jurisdiction of the MPSC, that entity should be the first to

consider this dispute. We reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals and

remand to the Wayne Circuit Court to enter an order granting summary disposition

to defendant. The dismissal is without prejudice to plaintiff’s right to seek a

remedy before the MPSC.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

In the fall of 1999, the City of Taylor (plaintiff) and the Michigan

Department of Transportation planned for a major reconstruction project of a four-

mile portion of Telegraph Road that intersects the city. The project called for

major infrastructure improvements, including the underground relocation of all

utility wires along Telegraph Road. Under the proposal, the Detroit Edison

Company’s (defendant) utility poles along Telegraph Road would be removed and

their wires relocated underground. In early 2000, officials from plaintiff and

defendant met several times to discuss the project and its implementation.

Defendant agreed to relocate the lines underground, but would not agree to

bear the costs of that effort. When the parties’ negotiations failed, plaintiff

enacted Taylor Ordinance 00-344, the “Telegraph Road Improvement and

Underground Relocation of Overhead Lines Ordinance.” Section 3 of that

ordinance requires all public utilities with lines or poles adjacent to Telegraph

Road “to relocate underground all of their overhead lines and wires and remove all

2

poles and related overhead facilities equipment at their sole cost and expense and

at no cost or expense to the City.”1 After plaintiff enacted the ordinance, the

parties continued to discuss the dispute, but could not come to an amicable

resolution. Ultimately, plaintiff agreed to advance the cost of relocating the wires

underground, but reserved its rights to enforce the ordinance against defendant and

seek reimbursement.

In June 2002, plaintiff filed a complaint for a declaratory judgment in

circuit court, seeking a determination that defendant was obligated to pay the

entire cost of relocating the wires under Taylor Ordinance 00-344. Defendant

moved for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(4), arguing that the MPSC

rules required plaintiff to pay for the relocation, and that the MPSC had primary

jurisdiction over this dispute. Plaintiff filed a cross-motion for summary

disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(10), arguing that the ordinance controlled. The

circuit court granted summary disposition to plaintiff, holding that it was

unnecessary to consider the issue of primary jurisdiction because the city’s

ordinance was enforceable regardless of the MPSC’s interpretation of its rules.

On appeal, the Court of Appeals affirmed in part the judgment of the circuit

court in a published opinion per curiam.2 The Court held that the MPSC did not

have primary jurisdiction because the question was one of law, and the courts

1
Taylor Ordinance 00-344.

2
263 Mich App 551; 689 NW2d 482 (2004).

3

could craft an answer that would promote uniformity without interfering with the

MPSC’s ability to perform its regulatory duties. Then, relying on its governmental

function/proprietary function test, first articulated in City of Pontiac v Consumers

Power Co,3 the Court determined that plaintiff exercised a governmental function

and properly required defendant to bear the entire cost of relocation. The Court

also determined that state law did not preempt the city’s ordinance.

This Court granted leave to appeal, specifically directing the parties to

address the scope of a city’s power over utilities under its constitutional authority

to exercise reasonable control over its streets; whether that constitutional authority

permits a city to impose relocation costs on utilities under Const 1963, art 7, § 29,

and how the city’s constitutionally authorized power to control its streets could be

reconciled with the MPSC’s broad regulatory authority over utilities.4

STANDARD OF REVIEW

This Court reviews the decision to grant or deny a motion for summary

disposition de novo.5 Issues of constitutional and statutory construction are

questions of law that are also reviewed de novo.6

3
101 Mich App 450; 300 NW2d 594 (1980).
4
474 Mich 877 (2005).
5
Spiek v Dep’t of Transportation, 456 Mich 331; 572 NW2d 201 (1998).
6
Wayne Co v Hathcock, 471 Mich 445; 684 NW2d 765 (2004).

4

 ANALYSIS

The City’s Constitutional Authority

Article 7 of the Constitution of 1963 enumerates the general authority and

limits on the authority of local governments, such as counties, townships, cities,

and villages.7 Subject to authority specifically granted in the Constitution, local

governments derive their authority from the Legislature.8 We have held that

“[local governments] have no inherent jurisdiction to make laws or
adopt regulations of government; they are governments of
enumerated powers, acting by a delegated authority; so that while
the State legislature may exercise such powers of government
coming within a proper designation of legislative power as are not
expressly or impliedly prohibited, the local authorities can exercise
those only which are expressly or impliedly conferred, and subject to
such regulations or restrictions as are annexed to the grant.”[9]

Notwithstanding that local governments obtain their authority from the

Legislature, the Constitution reserves to local governments certain authorities. In

this case, plaintiff relies on the authority to exercise reasonable control over its

streets, which is specifically reserved in art 7, § 29, which states:

No person, partnership, association or corporation, public or
private, operating a public utility shall have the right to the use of the
highways, streets, alleys or other public places of any county,
township, city or village for wires, poles, pipes, tracks, conduits or
other utility facilities, without the consent of the duly constituted
authority of the county, township, city or village; or to transact local

7
Const 1963, art 7.
8
Const 1963, art 7, §§ 1, 17, and 21.
9
City of Kalamazoo v Titus, 208 Mich 252, 262; 175 NW 480 (1919),
quoting 1 Cooley, Constitutional Limitations (7th ed), pp 163, 264 et seq.

5

 business therein without first obtaining a franchise from the
township, city or village. Except as otherwise provided in this
constitution the right of all counties, townships, cities and villages to
the reasonable control of their highways, streets, alleys and public
places is hereby reserved to such local units of government.[10]

Thus, the authority reserved to local units of government to exercise reasonable

control over the enumerated subject areas is explicitly made subject to the other

provisions of the Constitution. One such provision is art 7, § 22, which empowers

cities and villages “to adopt resolutions and ordinances relating to its municipal

concerns, property and government, subject to the constitution and law.”11

In People v McGraw,12 this Court interpreted the similarly worded

“reasonable control” predecessor of art 7, § 29 found in the 1908 Constitution,13

10
Const 1963, art 7, § 29 (emphasis added).
11
Const 1963, art 7, § 22 (emphasis added).
12
184 Mich 233; 150 NW 836 (1915), interpreting Const 1908, art 8, §§ 21
and 28.
13
Const 1908, art 8, § 28 provided:

No person, partnership, association or corporation operating a
public utility shall have the right to the use of the highways, streets,
alleys or other public places of any city, village or township for
wires, poles, pipes, tracks, or conduits, without the consent of the
duly constituted authorities of such city, village or township; nor to
transact a local business therein without first obtaining a franchise
therefor from such city, village or township. The right of all cities,
villages and townships to the reasonable control of their streets,
alleys and public places is hereby reserved to such cities, villages
and townships.
(continued…)

6

along with the predecessor of art 7, § 22, the provision regarding municipal

powers.14 McGraw involved traffic ordinances enacted by the City of Detroit that

conflicted with the general state traffic laws. This Court held that “[t]aking the

[constitutional] sections together, they should be so construed as to give the power

to municipalities to pass such ordinances and regulations with reference to their

highways and bridges as are not inconsistent with the general State law.”15 Thus,

McGraw permits a city to exercise “reasonable control” to regulate matters of

local concern, but only in a manner and to the degree that the regulation does not

conflict with state law.

(…continued)

The differences between this section and Const 1963, art 7, § 29 are
relatively minor. In addition to stylistic changes, counties are added to the list of
municipalities; the list of items that public places can be used for now includes the
general “other utility facilities”; and the reservation of power to municipalities is
explicitly subject to other provisions of the Constitution.
14
Const 1908, art 8, § 21 provided:

Under such general laws, the electors of each city and village
shall have power and authority to frame, adopt and amend its
charter, and to amend an existing charter of the city or village
heretofore granted or passed by the legislature for the government of
the city or village and, through its regularly constituted authority, to
pass all laws and ordinances relating to its municipal concerns,
subject to the Constitution and general laws of this state.

The differences between this section and Const 1963, art 7, § 22 are also
relatively minor. Besides the stylistic changes, the section merely reaffirms that a
city’s or a village’s powers are subject to the general laws of the state.
15
McGraw, supra at 238.

7

 In 1939, the Legislature created the MPSC, giving it broad regulatory

authority over public utilities. Under its enabling statute,

[t]he public service commission is vested with complete power and
jurisdiction to regulate all public utilities in the state except . . . as
otherwise restricted by law. The public service commission is
vested with the power and jurisdiction to regulate all rates, fares,
fees, charges, services, rules, conditions of service, and all other
matters pertaining to the formation, operation, or direction of public
utilities. The public service commission is further granted the power
and jurisdiction to hear and pass upon all matter pertaining to,
necessary, or incident to the regulation of public utilities . . . .[16]

In 1970, the MPSC promulgated rules governing the underground

placement of new and existing utility wires.17 Specifically, the MPSC

promulgated Rule 460.516, governing the “[r]eplacement of existing overhead

lines,” and Rule 460.517, concerning “[u]nderground facilities for convenience of

utilities or where required by ordinances.”18 These rules appear to cover the same

subject matter as Taylor Ordinance 00-344, and in a manner that possibly creates a

conflict between the MPSC’s rules and the plaintiff’s ordinance. Because the

MPSC has not construed how its rules governing the allocation of costs for the

underground relocation of utility wires apply in this circumstance, and because

provisions of the ordinance appear to fall within the MPSC’s regulatory purview,

the MPSC, rather than a court, should assess whether there is an actual conflict.

16
MCL 460.6 (emphasis added).

17
1999 AC, R 460.511 et seq.

18
See titles of 1999 AC, R 460.516 and 460.517

8

As discussed later in this opinion, the doctrine of primary jurisdiction requires us

to defer to the judgment of the MPSC on this question. If the ordinance conflicts

with MPSC rules, then under art 7, §§ 22 and 29, and McGraw, Taylor Ordinance

00-344 must yield.

The cases from this Court relied on by the Court of Appeals and plaintiff

are readily distinguishable from the present case. As an initial matter, all the cases

from this Court holding that a municipality has the power to force a utility to

relocate its facilities at its own expense were decided before the MPSC’s

promulgation of rules regarding the underground relocation of wires.19 Thus, there

was no state law for the municipal action to conflict with. To the extent these

cases conflict with the MPSC’s interpretation of its rules, however, they are

abrogated. Moreover, no case cited is factually analogous. For example, the

Court of Appeals cited this Court’s opinion in Detroit Edison Co v Detroit20 for

the proposition that this Court “ruled that the city of Detroit could order the utility

to move its poles at its own expense under the municipality’s constitutional right

to control public places.”21 In Detroit Edison, the utility erected poles on an

easement granted to the city for public utilities. The utility claimed exclusive

19
See City of Monroe v Postal Tel Co, 195 Mich 467; 162 NW 76 (1917),
Detroit Edison Co v Detroit, 332 Mich 348; 51 NW2d 245 (1952), and Detroit v
Michigan Bell Tel Co, 374 Mich 543; 132 NW2d 660 (1965).
20
332 Mich 348; 51 NW2d 245 (1952).
21
263 Mich App at 558, citing Detroit Edison.

9

control over the easement because the grantor dedicated it for utilities rather than

public use. This Court held that the utility easement fell under the “public places”

language of article 8, § 28 of the 1908 Constitution. However, the Court did not

rely on that constitutional provision in holding that the city could require the

utility to pay to move the poles. Rather, the Court relied on the utility’s

concession that it would be liable if the easement was determined to be a “public

place.”22 Therefore, Detroit Edison does not support plaintiff’s argument or the

holding of the Court of Appeals.23

As noted, the precedent that governs the resolution of this case is McGraw.

Because Taylor Ordinance 00-344 may conflict with MPSC rules, it may not be a

valid exercise of plaintiff’s reasonable control over its streets. Therefore, if the

portion of the ordinance that requires the utility to bear the entire cost of relocation

22
Detroit Edison, supra at 354-355. The dissent has created a doctrine of
“perpetual concession” and would bind Edison to a concession it made 50 years
ago in unrelated litigation. Merely stating the dissent’s position shows why it has
never had any basis in our jurisprudence.
23
The case relied on by the dissent, City of Monroe v Postal Tel Co, supra,
also does not support the Court of Appeals conclusion. Monroe involved a federal
statute, the Post Road Act of 1886, which gave telegraph companies the right to
construct telegraph lines along any United States post road. The issue before the
Court was whether the federal statute limited the state’s ability to exercise control
over the lines. This Court determined, consistently with other jurisdictions, that
the federal statute was permissive and subject to the states’ police power. Not
surprisingly, Monroe did not mention or utilize Const 1908, art 8, § 28 or McGraw
in its resolution of the case.

10

conflicts with the MPSC rules on the subject, that portion of the ordinance is

invalid. We reverse the Court of Appeals judgment that held to the contrary.

The Court Of Appeals Test

In reaching its holding, the Court of Appeals did not focus on the question

of “reasonable control.” Instead, the Court of Appeals relied on a “general rule

that relocation costs may be imposed on the utility if necessitated by the

municipality’s discharge of a governmental function, while the expenses must be

borne by the municipality if necessitated by its discharge of a proprietary

function.”24 This “general rule” appears to emanate from City of Pontiac v

Consumers Power Co,25 and is derived from McQuillin, Municipal Corporations,

§ 34.74(a), p 184. While many Michigan Court of Appeals cases have applied the

“general rule,” 26 there is no support for it in either our statutes or Constitution.

The proper “general rule,” which has been inexplicably ignored by the Court of

Appeals, was articulated by this Court in McGraw nearly 100 years ago. Today,

we reaffirm the holding and standard articulated in McGraw as being consistent

with the modern constitutional provisions of the analogues of these provisions it

24
263 Mich App at 557-558.
25
101 Mich App 450; 300 NW2d 594 (1980).

26
Pontiac, supra at 453-454, was cited in Detroit Edison Co v Detroit, 180
Mich App 145; 446 NW2d 615 (1989) (expansion of Cobo Hall), and Detroit
Edison Co v Southeastern Michigan Transportation Auth, 161 Mich App 28; 410
NW2d 295 (1987) (public transit system); see also Michigan Bell Tel Co v Detroit,
106 Mich App 690; 308 NW2d 608 (1981) (sewer treatment facility).

11

construed: A municipality may regulate “highways, streets, alleys, and public

places” to the degree such regulations are consistent with state law. We overrule

the Court of Appeals cases that apply the proprietary function/governmental

function test in this area of the law.27

Primary Jurisdiction

Having decided that plaintiff’s effort to compel defendant’s compliance by

decree may contravene the authority of the MPSC, we next address whether the

MPSC has primary jurisdiction over the dispute about the allocation of the costs of

relocating the wires underground.28 There is no fixed formula, but there are

several factors to consider in determining whether an administrative agency has

primary jurisdiction over a dispute: (1) whether the matter falls within the

agency’s specialized knowledge, (2) whether the court would interfere with the

uniform resolution of similar issues, and (3) whether the court would upset the

regulatory scheme of the agency.29 The Court of Appeals analyzed these three

27
See n 26, supra.
28
The dissent discusses preemption at length. We cannot discern why. Our
opinion does not mention preemption, much less rely on the doctrine, and it plays
no role in our disposition of this case.
29
Travelers Ins Co v Detroit Edison Co, 465 Mich 185, 198-200; 631
NW2d 733 (2001); see also Rinaldo’s Constr Co v Michigan Bell Tel Co, 454
Mich 65, 71-72; 559 NW2d 647 (1997).

12

factors and determined that the MPSC did not have primary jurisdiction over the

dispute. We disagree.

The fundamental error in the Court of Appeals analysis is that the court

applied the Travelers factors to the question of the city’s constitutional authority to

exercise reasonable control over its streets. We agree that the MPSC has

absolutely no jurisdiction to consider the scope of plaintiff’s constitutional

authority under art 7, § 29.30 As discussed earlier in this opinion, McGraw

articulates the proper standard for resolution of the constitutional issue. Once the

constitutional issue has been resolved, the Travelers factors are applied to

determine whether the MPSC has primary jurisdiction over the issue of how to

allocate the costs of relocating the lines underground.

Applying the first factor, the appropriate method for allocating the cost of

moving the facilities of utilities is clearly within the expertise of the MPSC.

Additionally, the MPSC is in the best position to interpret and apply its own rules

on this subject. Regarding the second factor, the MPSC arguably has devised a

uniform system for removing overhead lines and allocating the associated costs.

Because the expense incurred in complying with plaintiff’s demands may

potentially affect a wide range of ratepayers, most of whom do not reside in the

30
As stated in Wikman v City of Novi, 413 Mich 617, 646-647; 322 NW2d
103 (1982), “Generally speaking, an agency exercising quasi-judicial power does
not undertake the determination of constitutional questions or possess the power to
hold statutes unconstitutional.”

13

City of Taylor, this is an area of law where uniformity is critical. Finally, under

the third factor, the decision of the City of Taylor appears directly to implicate the

rate-making authority of the MPSC and defendant’s tariffs created under that

authority. Given the MPSC’s broad authority to regulate public utilities, and its

promulgation of rules pertaining to the relocation of overhead lines underground,

the circuit court’s resolution of this case could adversely affect the MPSC’s ability

to carry out its regulatory responsibilities. Because application of the Travelers

factors overwhelmingly favors the MPSC, that agency has primary jurisdiction to

determine the proper allocation of costs associated with relocating the wires

underground. Accordingly, the circuit court should have granted defendant’s

motion to dismiss and required plaintiff to seek a remedy from the MPSC.

Conclusion

Today, we reaffirm this Court’s decision in McGraw. Under Const 1963,

art 7, §§ 22 and 29, a local unit of government may exercise reasonable control

over its “highways, streets, alleys, and public places” as long as that regulation

does not conflict with state law. Here, because plaintiff’s ordinance may be

incongruent with the MPSC’s regulations governing underground relocation of

wires, and the regulation of defendant utility, the ordinance may be invalid. MCL

460.6 vests the MPSC with broad authority to regulate public utilities, and the

MPSC has promulgated rules on this subject. Accordingly, we conclude that the

MPSC has primary jurisdiction over the issue of cost allocation.

14

 We reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals and remand to the Wayne

Circuit Court to grant summary disposition to defendant. Plaintiff may seek a

remedy concerning the costs of relocating defendant’s wires underground from the

MPSC.

Robert P. Young, Jr.
Clifford W. Taylor
Elizabeth A. Weaver
Maura D. Corrigan
Stephen J. Markman

Cavanagh, J., concurred in the result only.

Michael J. Cavanagh

15

 STATE OF MICHIGAN

SUPREME COURT

CITY OF TAYLOR,

Plaintiff-Appellee,

V No. 127580

THE DETROIT EDISON COMPANY,

Defendant-Appellant.

KELLY, J. (dissenting).

Today, the majority of this Court has made a drastic change in the law. I

believe the legal conclusions underlying the change are erroneous.

The Michigan Constitution provides local units of government the authority

to reasonably control their rights-of-way. Const 1963, art 7, § 29. Michigan

courts have long held that the right of reasonable control includes the right to order

a utility to move its facilities to another location at the utility’s expense. The state

has not occupied the field in this area of the law. And the primary jurisdiction of

the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) is not implicated in it. Therefore,

the Court of Appeals was correct in remanding the case to the circuit court, and I

would affirm its decision.

ESSENTIAL FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

This case involves a large reconstruction project on Telegraph Road, also

known as M-24, in the city of Taylor. Telegraph is a major thoroughfare in the
city. About 70,000 vehicles travel on its four-mile stretch each day. Plaintiff city

of Taylor indicates that Telegraph is the most heavily congested business district

in the city. Hundreds of traffic accidents occur there each year, and some involve

collisions with utility poles. Defendant Detroit Edison’s utility poles run along

Telegraph within Taylor’s right-of-way. Edison’s facilities were placed in the

right-of-way pursuant to a franchise agreement that made clear that Taylor did not

surrender its control over any streets, highways, or public places.

In 1999, Taylor began work in cooperation with the Michigan Department

of Transportation on the Telegraph reconstruction project. It involved a massive

overhaul of the right-of-way, calling for new pavement, new sidewalks, new water

mains, new street lights, and new conduit for median irrigation and utilities. A

significant part of the plan involved the relocation of Edison’s facilities below

ground.

The parties disagreed about who was responsible to pay for the relocation,

and after negotiations failed, the Taylor City Council passed Taylor Ordinance 00-

344. It directed all persons owning, leasing, operating, or maintaining overhead

lines, wires, poles, or facilities to relocate them underground and to remove all

aboveground facilities. The work was specified to be done at the expense of the

persons owning, leasing, operating, or maintaining the overhead facilities.

The ordinance listed several reasons why relocation was required. It

enhanced public safety by preventing falling and downed poles and wires, by

eliminating vehicle collisions with the facilities, and by enhancing drivers’

2

visibility and sightlines. The ordinance stated that underground lines would

operate more reliably than overhead lines. Finally, it pointed out that the removal

of poles and overhead lines would improve aesthetics and facilitate the future

development of the city.

Edison objected to the ordinance and refused to relocate its facilities at its

own expense. Taylor advanced a portion of the cost of relocation so that the

project could progress, but reserved the right to litigate to recover its expenditures.

When, in time, it sued Edison to enforce the ordinance, both parties sought

summary disposition. The trial court granted Taylor’s motion, denied Edison’s

motion, and ordered Edison to reimburse Taylor.

Edison appealed in the Court of Appeals, which affirmed the ruling. It

remanded the case on a subissue regarding the sufficiency of some of the conduit

that Taylor had installed. City of Taylor v Detroit Edison Co, 263 Mich App 551;

689 NW2d 482 (2004). This Court subsequently granted leave to appeal and

heard oral argument. 474 Mich 877 (2005).

REASONABLE CONTROL OF THE RIGHT-OF-WAY

The Michigan Constitution provides at article 7, section 29:

No person, partnership, association or corporation, public or
private, operating a public utility shall have the right to the use of the
highways, streets, alleys or other public places of any county,
township, city or village for wires, poles, pipes, tracks, conduits or
other utility facilities, without the consent of the duly constituted
authority of the county, township, city or village; or to transact local
business therein without first obtaining a franchise from the
township, city or village. Except as otherwise provided in this
constitution the right of all counties, townships, cities and villages to

3

 the reasonable control of their highways, streets, alleys and public
places is hereby reserved to such local units of government.

Conducting private business on public streets is not a right. “‘The use of

public streets for private enterprise may be for the public good, but, even so, it is a

privilege that may be granted, regulated, or withheld.’” Red Star Motor Drivers’

Ass’n v Detroit, 234 Mich 398, 409; 208 NW 602 (1926), quoting Schultz v City of

Duluth, 163 Minn 65, 68; 203 NW 449 (1925). In fact, this Court has stated that

such use of the right-of-way is special and extraordinary because it differs

radically from the ordinary use of streets, which is for travel. Fostini v Grand

Rapids, 348 Mich 36, 40-41; 81 NW2d 393 (1957), quoting 64 CJS, Municipal

Corporations, § 1774, pp 224-225. The right to deny or limit the use of streets

reposes in the local unit of government. If the municipality decides to grant

permission to use the streets, it may do so under such terms and conditions as it

sees fit. Fostini, supra at 41. The only limitation on the municipality is that its

control be reasonable. Const 1963, art 7, § 29.

Through the last century, Michigan courts uniformly applied this rule to

utilities. Our appellate courts consistently held that a municipality may require a

utility to relocate its poles and facilities at the utility’s own expense. In fact,

Edison has repeatedly been the subject of these cases. Its struggle against the

constitutionally protected right of reasonable control has been unsuccessful until

now.

4

 By way of illustration, nearly 90 years ago, this Court dealt with a

remarkably similar case, City of Monroe v Postal Tel Co, 195 Mich 467; 162 NW

76 (1917). There, the city of Monroe issued an ordinance requiring various

utilities to relocate their lines and facilities underground at their own expense.

This Court stated that a utility’s use of the right-of-way cannot “‘incommode the

public in its use.’” Id. at 472 (citation omitted). The Court further stated that the

cost of relocation cannot be a deciding factor in whether the control of the right-

of-way is reasonable. We wrote:

“The mere fact that the route designated by the municipality
is less convenient or involves on the part of the telephone company a
larger expenditure is of no consequence so long as the company is
not thereby prevented from reaching all those it desires to serve or
who desire service from it. The record before us fails to disclose this
condition. Where a municipality, in the exercise of its inherent
police power, adopts an ordinance reasonably regulating the manner,
character, or place of construction of a contemplated line, the
telephone company must comply with such regulations and exercise
its right of entry under the general powers conferred by the State
subject to them.” [Id. at 473-474, quoting Village of Jonesville v
Southern Michigan Tel Co, 155 Mich 86, 90; 118 NW 736 (1908).]

In 1952, this Court followed in the footsteps of the Monroe case. The city

of Detroit sought to install and expand its public sewer system in an area where

Edison had installed its facilities. Detroit Edison Co v Detroit, 332 Mich 348,

349-350; 51 NW2d 245 (1952). We held that the designated area was equivalent

to those dedicated to the city for streets or alleys. Id. at 354. That being the case,

we concluded, Edison must bear the cost of removing and replacing its facilities

5

located there pursuant to Const 1908, art 8, § 28.1 Edison conceded as much.

Both it and the majority have failed to explain why Edison should not be bound in

this case by its earlier concession. In fact, the majority uses this concession as a

reason to distinguish Detroit Edison Co from this case. Given that Edison made

this concession in a case involving similar facts, I see no reason why it should not

be bound by its clearly stated former position.

In 1965, this Court again addressed an issue involving the relocation of

utility facilities. The city of Detroit vacated previously dedicated streets and

alleys as part of an urban redevelopment plan for a blighted area. Detroit v

Michigan Bell Tel Co, 374 Mich 543, 548; 132 NW2d 660 (1965). Both the

Michigan Bell Telephone Company and Edison sought reimbursement from the

city for the relocation of their lines and facilities. Id. at 549-550. Detroit’s plan

called for the utilities to relocate facilities both aboveground and underground. Id.

at 557. Again, this Court stated that the city had a legal right to require the

utilities to relocate their facilities at their own expense. As in the Monroe case, we

made no distinction between relocation aboveground and relocation underground.

The Court of Appeals picked up the baton after being asked repeatedly to

address the question of relocating utility lines. It has consistently found that the

utility must bear the cost of relocation as long as the relocation is required in the

course of the discharge of a governmental function. See City of Pontiac v

1
This was the predecessor to Const 1963, art 7, § 29.

6

Consumers Power Co, 101 Mich App 450; 300 NW2d 594 (1980), Detroit Edison

Co v Southeastern Michigan Transportation Auth, 161 Mich App 28; 410 NW2d

295 (1987), Detroit Edison Co v Detroit, 180 Mich App 145; 446 NW2d 615

(1989), Detroit Edison Co v Detroit, 208 Mich App 26; 527 NW2d 9 (1994), and

City of Taylor, 263 Mich App 551.2

This long line of cases discussing reasonable control under Const 1963, art

7, § 29 is supported by the common law. And the control exercised by Taylor here

is also in accord with the common law.

Under the traditional common-law rule, utilities have been
required to bear the entire cost of relocating from a public right-of-
way whenever requested to do so by state or local authorities. 12 E.
McQuillin, Law of Municipal Corporations § 34.74a (3d ed. 1970);
4A J. Sackman, Nichols' Law of Eminent Domain § 15.22 (rev. 3d
ed. 1981). This rule was recognized and approved by this Court as
long ago as New Orleans Gas Light Co. v. Drainage Comm'n of New
Orleans, 197 U.S. 453, 462 (1905) (holding that the injury sustained
by the utility is damnum absque injuria[3]). [Norfolk Redevelopment
& Housing Auth v Chesapeake & Potomac Tel Co, 464 US 30, 35;
104 S Ct 304; 78 L Ed 2d 29 (1983).]

2
The majority contends that this line of cases from the Court of Appeals
applying the governmental function test is inconsistent with the “reasonable
control” standard. I disagree. I believe that the cases articulate a further test
created by the Court of Appeals to assure that governmental units act reasonably.
Therefore, the holdings are supported by both our case law and the Michigan
Constitution. The majority errs in overruling this helpful line of cases. Contrary
to the majority’s statements, the Court of Appeals did not ignore the “proper
‘general rule’” expressed in People v McGraw, 184 Mich 233; 150 NW 836
(1915). Ante at 11. Instead, it dutifully followed the common law, which has not
been repudiated in this state.
3
Loss or harm for which there is no legal remedy. Black’s Law Dictionary
(7th ed).

7

 Far from abandoning the common law, this state’s constitution specifically

retains it. Const 1963, art 3, § 7; Stout v Keyes, 2 Doug 184, 188-189 (Mich,

1845). Nothing in article 7, § 29 of the Michigan Constitution is inconsistent with

the common law in this area. Instead, as shown earlier in this opinion, this Court

has underlined the consistency in repeatedly requiring utilities to bear the cost of

relocation. Therefore, the common law remains in this state.4 Under its general

rule, the Taylor ordinance represents a reasonable control of the city’s right-of-

way.5 Given that the control is reasonable, it is constitutionally protected by Const

1963, art 7, § 29, and the Court of Appeals decision should be affirmed.

The majority relies on People v McGraw, 184 Mich 233; 150 NW 836

(1915). In McGraw, the Court stated, “Taking the sections [of the Constitution]

together, they should be so construed as to give the power to municipalities to pass

4
The Legislature has the authority to abrogate the common law. Rusinek v
Schultz, Snyder & Steele Lumber Co, 411 Mich 502, 507-508; 309 NW2d 163
(1981). But, when it does so, it must speak in clear terms. Marquis v Hartford
Accident & Indemnity (After Remand), 444 Mich 638, 652 n 17; 513 NW2d 799
(1994), quoting Bandfield v Bandfield, 117 Mich 80, 82; 75 NW 287 (1898). I
find no action by the Legislature speaking in clear terms that abrogate the common
law on this subject.
5
The ordinance is reasonable also because it is directed at remediating an
interference with the primary use of the right-of-way, travel. If, at any time, the
presence of a utility becomes a burden on the public’s right to travel, the utility’s
franchise must give way. Postal Tel Co, 195 Mich 472. In this case, the
ordinance was directed at the fact that Edison’s poles and facilities blocked
sightlines and led to vehicular collisions. This interference with the primary use of
the rights-of-way allowed Taylor to require relocation at Edison’s expense as a
reasonable exercise of its police powers and control of its right-of-way. Id.

8

such ordinances and regulations with reference to their highways and bridges as

are not inconsistent with the general State law.” Id. at 238. The majority treats

this general statement of the law as if it overrides all other precedent in the area,

even precedent directly on point.6 This is inaccurate. Moreover, it is inconsistent

with McGraw.

As noted earlier, the common law remains viable law in this state. Stout, 2

Doug 188-189. Under the common law, “utilities have been required to bear the

entire cost of relocating from a public right-of-way whenever requested to do so

by state or local authorities.” Norfolk Redevelopment & Housing Auth, 464 US

35. In creating the PSC, the Legislature did not explicitly overrule the common

law. To the contrary, the PSC’s jurisdiction is limited “as otherwise restricted by

law.” MCL 460.6(1). The common law of the state is part of that restricting law.

Therefore, unless the common law is expressly overruled, it controls, even with

respect to the jurisdiction of the PSC.

Applying this to the case at hand, McGraw did not change the common-law

rule that a municipality may require a utility to bear the cost of relocating its

facilities. The Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals have consistently

followed this rule. In continuing in this case its adherence to the common law, the

Court of Appeals did not err, and its decision should be affirmed.

6
McGraw dealt with local traffic ordinances, not the relocation of utility
facilities. McGraw, 184 Mich 234-235.

9

 THE ORDINANCE IS NOT PREEMPTED

Instead of properly respecting Taylor’s constitutional right to reasonably

control its rights-of-way, the majority focuses its attention on the jurisdiction of

the PSC. Given my analysis of the law, I conclude that this focus is misplaced.

But I will address it in order to fully demonstrate that the majority has reached an

incorrect legal conclusion.7

A municipality is precluded from enacting an ordinance if 1)
the ordinance is in direct conflict with the state statutory scheme, or
2) if the state statutory scheme pre-empts the ordinance by
occupying the field of regulation which the municipality seeks to
enter, to the exclusion of the ordinance, even where there is no direct
conflict between the two schemes of regulation. [People v
Llewellyn, 401 Mich 314, 322; 257 NW2d 902 (1977).]

In determining whether the state preempted the field, this Court weighs

certain considerations: (1) whether state law stipulates that it is exclusive, (2)

whether legislative history implies that it is preempted, (3) whether the

pervasiveness of the statutory scheme supports preemption,8 and (4) whether the

nature of the subject matter demands exclusive state regulation to achieve the

uniformity. Id. at 322-324. Regarding the fourth factor, this Court provided:

As to this last point, examination of relevant Michigan cases
indicates that where the nature of the regulated subject matter calls
for regulation adapted to local conditions, and the local regulation

7
The majority states that it cannot discern why I address preemption. I do
so because it was raised by the appellant and addressed by the Court of Appeals.
Therefore it is an important part of the discussion of this case.
8
This factor alone will not be sufficient to find preemption.

10

 does not interfere with the state regulatory scheme, supplementary
local regulation has generally been upheld. [Id. at 324-325.]

Under the first factor, the PSC’s jurisdiction is not exclusive. Instead, its

jurisdiction is limited “as otherwise restricted by law.” MCL 460.6(1). Edison

directs our attention to nothing in the legislative history implying preemption.

Therefore, the second Llewellyn factor also fails to support preemption.

Nor does the third factor favor preemption. The PSC’s regulations are not

so pervasive that they cover the entire area or field of relocating power lines. This

Court has specifically stated that the PSC has no interest in the development and

control of a city’s right-of-way. Rather, it must be left to the individual

municipality:

The commission is not interested—nor should it be—in the
effect which the construction will have on the development of the
communities through which it passes. If its determination were to be
binding upon local units of government, the absence of public
hearings and notification to affected municipalities would suggest
due process shortcomings. [Detroit Edison Co v City of Wixom, 382
Mich 673, 682; 172 NW2d 382 (1969) (opinion by Brennan, C.J.),
citing Gust v Canton Twp, 342 Mich 436; 70 NW2d 772 (1955).]

This Court has also ruled that the cost-conscious nature of the PSC is

incompatible with the PSC preempting a municipality’s right to control its rights-

of-way:

But a city does have an interest in the location and route of a
high tension electric power line. It is a specific land use which is not
compatible with other land uses. It is a land use which characterizes
the neighborhood and influences the development of adjacent real
estate.

11

 The public service commission statute does not vest the
commission with authority to determine the routes of high tension
lines except as those routes bear upon “rates, fares, fees, charges,
services, rules, conditions of service” or the “formation, operation or
direction of such public utilities.” CLS 1961, § 460.1 et seq. (Stat
Ann 1965 Cum Supp § 22.13[1] et seq.). The first sentence of CLS
1961, § 460.6 (Stat Ann 1965 Cum Supp § 22.13[6]), vests the
commission “with complete power and jurisdiction to regulate all
public utilities in the state * * * except as otherwise restricted by
law.”

The commission is not empowered to assume the role of
arbiter between the utility and the city. The company's cost-
conscious approach to route selection and the commission's rate-and-
service-conscious evaluation of the selected route are too closely
aligned. [Detroit Edison Co, 382 Mich 682-683 (opinion by
Brennan, C.J.).]

Aside from the Court’s reasoning in these cases, the PSC’s own rules

contemplate no preemption in this area of the law. Instead, they anticipate that

municipalities will pass ordinances intended to control their rights-of-way. 1999

AC, R 460.517 provides: “The utility shall bear the cost of construction where

electric facilities are placed underground at the option of the utility for its own

convenience or where underground construction is required by ordinance in

heavily congested business districts.” (Emphasis added.)

This rule specifically contemplates that municipalities will pass ordinances

on the subject. And it specifically states that these ordinances control. Edison

cannot plausibly argue that the Taylor ordinance is preempted by a state regulatory

scheme when the scheme specifically allows for such an ordinance. Because the

state regulatory scheme contemplates and allows regulation by municipalities, it

does not preempt the field.

12

 Finally, the nature of the subject matter does not require exclusive state

regulation for the purpose of achieving uniformity throughout Michigan. A city

has an interest in the location and route of power lines because their location

involves a use of land that is not compatible with other land uses. Conversely, the

PSC is not interested in the effect that the construction will have on cities’ rights-

of-way. Detroit Edison Co, 382 Mich 682-683 (opinion by Brennan, C.J.).

The courts can and have provided uniformity in this area of the law. The

common law states that utilities must pay for relocating their facilities. Michigan

courts have consistently upheld this rule. Only this Court in this case has failed to

follow it. It is this decision that now creates confusion. Municipalities will be less

sure when they may exercise their constitutional right to control their rights-of-

way. And it is now unclear whether the common law in this area is abrogated in

all situations or just in some situations.

This confusion is without legal justification. None of the Llewellyn factors

favors preemption by the PSC. Past incarnations of this Court and the Court of

Appeals have understood this point. As a result, a consistent rule of law has been

created regarding the relocation of utility lines. Unlike the majority of this Court,

I would leave this rule of law unmolested.

THE PRIMARY JURISDICTION OF THE PSC IS NOT IMPLICATED

Adhering to the doctrine of primary jurisdiction reinforces the
expertise of the agency to which the courts are deferring the matter,
and avoids the expenditure of judicial resources for issues that can
better be resolved by the agency. “A question of ‘primary
jurisdiction’ arises when a claim may be cognizable in a court but

13

 initial resolution of issues within the special competence of an
administrative agency is required.” [Travelers Ins Co v Detroit
Edison Co, 465 Mich 185, 197; 631 NW2d 733 (2001) (citation
omitted).]

No fixed formula exists for determining when primary jurisdiction applies.

But three major considerations have been identified: (1) whether the agency’s

specialized expertise makes it a preferable forum, (2) whether there is a need for

uniformity in the resolution of the issue, and (3) whether a judicial determination

of the issue will have an adverse effect on the agency's performance of its

regulatory responsibilities. Rinaldo’s Constr Corp v Michigan Bell Tel Co, 454

Mich 65, 71; 559 NW2d 647 (1997), quoting 2 Davis & Pierce, Administrative

Law (3d ed), § 14.1, p 272. Application of these considerations does not support a

finding that primary jurisdiction in this case rests with the PSC.

The issue here is whether Taylor is exercising reasonable control over its

streets and rights-of-way.9 The PSC is not equipped to deal with that issue.

Detroit Edison Co, 382 Mich 682-683 (opinion by Brennan, C.J.). It does not

involve rate structures. Instead, it is a legal question regarding interpretation and

application of a constitutional provision. It is a question of law best left to the

expertise of the courts, not an administrative agency.

9
The majority implies that this is just a preliminary matter controlled by
McGraw. In reality, this is the entire focus of the case. And it goes beyond the
mere application of McGraw. In ruling on it, the lower courts were bound to
follow the common law and the precedent of this Court that is directly on point.

14

 Defendant argues, and the majority seems to agree, that the issue in this

case should be resolved by the PSC because Edison’s rates may be adversely

affected. Essentially, Edison’s fear is that many communities may require that

lines be placed underground at the utility’s expense once Taylor has done so. It

asserts that this might cost Edison hundreds of millions of dollars. If so, it argues,

this will require it to raise its rates. Because the PSC is the body that deals with

raising rates, Edison reasons that this case should go to the PSC.

I question this logic. The PSC cannot be asked to control all that may

ultimately affect utility rates. Otherwise, it would have original jurisdiction over

everything from environmental regulations to the wages paid to utility employees.

By extension, Edison’s reasoning would be as follows: employees’ wages

cost Edison a significant sum of money. This cost is passed on to consumers.

When wages rise, utility rates rise. Therefore, the PSC should handle all cases

involving utility employees’ wages because it is the only body that can deal with

setting rates. It follows that the PSC could set the maximum wage that Edison

pays its employees at $1 an hour in order to lower costs to the customers. I find it

disheartening that the majority has allowed itself to be distracted by this argument

from the real issue presented.

Next, the need for uniformity does not support primary jurisdiction in the

PSC. In fact, before today, a single rule of law applied in all cases involving the

relocation of utility facilities. Both the common law and the precedent from this

Court held that a municipality could require a utility to move its facilities at the

15

utility’s own expense. For nearly the last century, this rule of law had been

uniformly applied. The PSC was neither threatened nor destroyed. Given that

uniformity can and has been achieved, there is no need now to defer to the PSC.10

Finally, a judicial determination will not have an adverse effect on the

PSC's performance of its regulatory responsibilities. The ordinance in this case

does not conflict with the PSC’s regulatory scheme. The PSC’s own rules

contemplate that a municipality will enact an ordinance when it decides that a

utility’s facilities must be relocated. The municipality is empowered to require the

utility to pay for the relocation. Given that the PSC’s rules allow for this, no

negative effect on the regulatory responsibilities should be assumed.

The majority apparently draws a distinction between this case and other

precedents because the lines are to be moved underground. The common law

makes no such distinction. Nor did this Court previously draw such a distinction.

Instead, at least from 1917 forward, this Court treated underground replacement

the same as any other replacement. Postal Tel Co, 195 Mich 472. To create this

distinction requires a change in existing law.

The rule governing moving a utility’s poles and structures that are situated

within a right-of-way should be retained. Under a consistent application of this

10
Under this factor, the majority points to the “uniform system for
removing overhead lines . . . .” Ante at 13. As noted above, the PSC’s own rules
contemplate municipal ordinances on this subject. Moreover, the ordinances are
controlling. 1999 AC, R 460.517. Therefore, this “uniformity” does not weigh in
favor of disallowing these ordinances under the guise of primary jurisdiction.

16

rule, the PSC’s regulatory responsibilities are as unaffected now as they were

when all the other cases that I have discussed were decided.

Everything considered, this case presents a question that the PSC is ill-

equipped to handle. The PSC has no expertise in dealing with or applying

constitutional provisions. Therefore, deferring to its primary jurisdiction is both

unwise and unnecessary.

CONCLUSION

The Michigan Constitution, Const 1963, art 7, § 29, provides local units of

government the right to reasonable control over their rights-of-way. Michigan

courts have long held that this includes the right to order a utility to relocate its

facilities to another location at the utility’s expense. Therefore, Taylor was

justified in passing an ordinance requiring Edison to relocate its facilities

underground and pay for the relocation itself.

This is a well-developed area of law. The state has not occupied the field,

and the primary jurisdiction of the PSC is not implicated. Quite simply, there is

no need for the sea change that the majority of this Court makes in the law today.

The judgment of the Court of Appeals should be affirmed.

Marilyn Kelly

17