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. Line 5 and the Tunnel Project 2. Porcupine Mouintain mining project Coppoerwood, Data Center proposals. The Line 5 owned and operated by Enbridge is a daily risk to our beloved Great Lakes. The Tunnel project proposes large risks as well. While I know this project is currently tied up in the Court systems, I need to be prepared to deal with the Tunnel project in the near future. The Coppoerwood Mine Project by Highland Copper is rattled with issues. Short term profits for a risk of long term repercussions including being so close to our Lake Superior, the decimation of our forest lands, the fact that this company is from Canada and has no other substantial projects to reflect on. the Upper Peninsula has very little as far as zoning ordinances in place for the construction of data centers. We have republican leaders in our UP who are ready to allow these centers in to destroy our natural resources, strip us our clean waters, and clear forest lands for energy and buildings.
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
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?
I am completely opposed to data centers. However, I need to prepare for them coming to Michigan with the Saline project being in the forefront now. I would work with local governments to ensure they have the proper zoning enforcements in place in order to highly restrict their abilities and also ensure their profits are shared with local governments. I would work with our Michigan DNR and EGLE to ensure all rules and regulations are followed.
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?
Expand the department with additional employees in order to get the testing done quicker.
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
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?
Yes. It’s time we stop allowing these for profit companies to rape our citizens of ever increasing costs.
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?
As stated above, Line 5 as it currently sits needs to be shut down. I am not willing to risk our Great Lakes more for a multi billion dollar company. I am also against the Tunnel.
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?
Yes. Clean water is a right, not just a commodity for those who can afford it.
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
It’s common sense; like my Grandma always said, “you make a mess, you clean it up”.