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. Data Centers; technology is new, being rushed and it appears no agency has done any in-depth study (5 yr, 10 yr) impact on the environment; surrounding resources nor consumption of “already established” utilities such as tap water, electricity and the power grid usage. 2. PFAs; My background is Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; I understand what “forever chemicals” mean and their impact, it is a very serious issue because most people only believe what they can “see” and with PFAs, the chemicals have been present since contamination without any red flag until recently. This issue must be dealt with thoroughly, with seriousness and not be brushed under the rug. 3. Waste from other countries/states. I do not agree with being the dumping grounds for other waste from other countries nor other states. It has been said that MI receives compensation and is one of the only toxic facilities available. There is not enough compensation to continue to put MI as a garbage dump. This needs to change and/or have more stringent guidelines and policies.
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.
Revise or repeal portions of the law
The fact that utility companies and continue to request increases (without emergency need nor warrant) every 12 months to increase fees, then it should be pragmatic to require a quicker timeline on reaching the goal for 100% clean energy. Currently, I believe the utility companies have the upper hand. There is a strong appearance that utility companies are going to focus on building, maintaining data centers than focusing on 100% clean energy.
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?
The state should have put the guardrails on back in 2024 and January 2025. I do not agree with tax exemptions when data centers are filing lawsuits against townships/communities when the communities decline agreements with data centers. The communities should have the primary oversight with the state being secondary as it is the people/citizens should have the power and right to the land, resources, and utilities in their community. Big Corporations and State Government should not be able to procure policies and procedures that benefit the data centers without strong oversight from the surrounding communities.
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?
All sites should have a comprehensive testing that is open for the public to scrutinize. Transparency is key. PFAs are not going anywhere because they do not breakdown, so it is critical for the cleanup to be done immediately. It is a shame for government to drag it out and delay clean up. Exposure is real and the threat of exposure needs to be reduced via cleanup.
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 common sense to perform an environmental assessment before granting and approving permits before adding more industrial processes because it provides critical information for decision making. An assessment would provide the baseline an information and document any outstanding matters. No permits should be granted if there are current, unresolved matters.
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 100%. Currently three (3) unelected bureaucrats appointed by the Governor have the power to continue to raise the rates. There needs to be more oversight or accountability as MI has one of the highest, if not the highest utility rates. There is a need for more decision-makers to be involved to better represent the public’s needs.
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?
I believe Line 5 needs to be re-routed away from the Great Lakes. It’s an aging system and it’s not a question of the line is going to fail, the question is when. MI has the biggest body of fresh water on the world, why are we continually allowing a foreign company to put that resource at risk? MI needs to take action and hold Enbridge accountable for offering other methods instead of going under the Great Lakes.
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 I would support caps for water bills, with policies to abide by. Water is a basic need. The legislature’s job is to find ways to make it happen.
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
I support legislation that hold polluters accountable. There are grants and programs from the Federal Government to help clean up also, so combining efforts will help provide remedy. If there are no consequences for polluters, then the pollution will continue to occur. Everyone has to stand firm with expectations and enforcement to protect our communities from Pollution.