Planet Detroit Candidate Survey
What are the three most pressing environmental issues facing the communities you seek to serve? Please rank them in order of priority and briefly explain why you chose each.
1. Climate change resulting in unpredictable and extreme weather patterns. PFAS and contaminated drinking water. Line 5 as a potential source of contamination. 3. Contamination of drinking water caused by carbon emissions in the atmosphere, producing run-offs in soil as it relates to agriculture.
Michigan law requires utilities to reach 100% clean energy by 2040. If elected, would you support maintaining this law, or would you support revising or repealing it? Please explain your position.
Maintain the current law and timeline
Let's follow the laws that have been voted on and enacted., before implementing new ones. Follow the laws and give them a chance to work before attempting to repeal them.
More than two dozen Michigan communities are considering or have approved large-scale data center developments. These facilities can consume as much electricity as a small city and place significant demands on local water and energy infrastructure. What role should state government play in overseeing data center development, and what guardrails should the state legislature enact to protect communities where data centers are proposed?
State government should play a significant role in overseeing data centers, precisely because of the large amount of water and energy they will consume. Guardrails that limit the gallons of water extracted from our nation's largest freshwater supply (Great Lakes) should be spelled out. Otherwise, power outages and drinking water shortages could result.
PFAS contamination has been detected in drinking water, groundwater, and surface water across Michigan. Cleanup efforts are underway, but many affected communities are still waiting for action. What is the single most important step the officeholder in this position should take on PFAS in the next term?
The most important steps a officeholder should take on PFAS clean up, is to firstly establish, or form community coalitions, that collect data showing the prevalence of PFAS particles detected in surface, ground and drinking water. Next, determine the source of origination. Determine the reliability of the data and what the particles per millions portend to those that come into contact with it. Contract with scientists that have performed research and attorneys that can guide your group through the next steps. Educate your community about what you find. Maintain pressure on the polluters and agencies whose job it is to correct the problem.
Michigan residents in some communities face disproportionate exposure to air pollution, contaminated water, and industrial waste. Do you support requiring Michigan regulators to assess cumulative environmental and health impacts on overburdened communities before approving new permits for polluting facilities?
Yes
It is an absolute must that Michigan regulators be required to assess cumulative environmental and health impacts on overburdened communities before approving new permits for polluting facilities. Polluting facilities should perform these required regulator assessments on every community, without regards to race, ethnicity, religion, or income. In fact, environmental and health impacts on already overburdened communities would be in my opinion would be an even bigger miscarriage of justice.t
Utility rate cases directly affect what Michigan residents pay for electricity and gas. DTE and Consumers Energy have requested frequent significant rate increases in recent years. Should elected officials play a greater role in holding utility companies accountable for rate hikes and rising energy costs?
Absolutely, elected officials should play a greater role in holding utility companies accountable for rate hikes. I am proud to say that I invested in twenty "65 by 40' solar panels to defray cost for my electric energy bills. Michigan residents are hurting. Energy companies should have to provide energy hikes are warranted.
Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline runs through the Straits of Mackinac and carries crude oil and natural gas liquids between Wisconsin and Ontario. A proposed tunnel beneath the lakebed to house a replacement pipeline has faced legal and regulatory challenges for years. What is your position on the future of Line 5?
The Line 5 pipeline is a very real concern of mine. I fear that the line may rupture one day causing gas and oil to pollute and contaminate our nation and perhaps the world's largest body of fresh water. A tunnel proposed to run beneath the lakebed would be prudent, since it is not a matter of if the line will break, but rather a matter of when. If a tunnel can self contain gases and oil, then I would be willing to support such and idea. But first I would have to see the plan.
Drinking water is becoming increasingly unaffordable for Michiganders in both rural and urban areas, leading to water shutoffs. Would you support legislation that caps water bills for low-income Michiganders and adds shutoff protections?
I would support legislation to cap water bills for low income Michiganders, because for some people, water bills are becoming increasingly unaffordable. Water is a God given natural resource. Our bodies are comprised of 85% water. Everyone should be entitled to it, and nobody should ever be denied it, because of a utility company's desire to make a profit.
Michigan is home to more than 18,000 contaminated sites. Do you support or oppose legislation to hold polluters accountable for cleaning up these sites?
Support
If polluter's are responsible for 18,000 contaminated site in Michigan, there would likely be less than a third contaminated sites if polluters were held responsible. I support legislation to hold polluters accountable. Otherwise, what is the incentive for polluters to keep us safe?