How do I stop the fines for "excessive" energy use?

Yep. I am trying to repeal the plan right now. Funny thing is you can't seem to ask the same sim twice about signing the petition in the same encounter. I mean if you ask them once and your relationship isn't high enough they won't sign but then if you spend time and get it up higher later on and then go to ask them again the option to sign the repeal petition doesn't appear. Weird glitch.