The legal clash follows a failed attempt by the Fermi board to secure judicial clearance for bylaws that effectively prevent the expansion of the board of directors. After losing a separate federal court battle concerning a May 29 special meeting, the company pivoted to the state business court in an effort to shield its decision-making process from public scrutiny. Neugebauer, the company’s co-founder and largest shareholder, argued that the board—which includes former Texas Governor Rick Perry—has systematically suppressed shareholder rights to maintain entrenched control.

Under the court’s order, Fermi must now explain the rationale behind its opposition to a special meeting and its adoption of the supermajority threshold. Neugebauer contends that this discovery phase will expose the mechanisms behind what he describes as unprecedented bad governance. He maintains that the current board’s actions have directly eroded shareholder value, and he is pushing for the election of seven new independent directors to steer the company’s future. Shareholders are currently being urged to utilize GREEN voting materials to force a special meeting as the conflict over the company's direction intensifies.