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) PFA's contamination is a growing issue in every district. As home to so many beautiful lakes and rivers, Michiganders must act to protect our waters. 2) Energy use- This is also a pressing issue for all Michiganders. As utility bills rise and we look to cleaner sources of energy, it is hard to keep up with the demand. 3) Extreme weather is causing flooding in many areas and overwhelming aging storm water and wastewater systems.
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
This law was negotited with all stakeholders and sets forth a reasonable timeline that they are now relying on.
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 ensure transparency and contractually require that all new data centers absorb any utility price increases that could affect neighboring residents, be responsible for cleanup, use closed loop systems or any new systems that are developed (whichever is the least bad for the environment).
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?
I will reintroduce my PFA's package with my colleagues and advocate for passage of the entire package.
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
We will need to provide funding for this if it's not already in the budget.
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. We need to put laws in place to combat rising energy costs. This includes supporting efficiency programs, community solar, and so much more. It's easy to say let's hold utilities accountable, but let's also set up a framework and rules where everyone can succeed.
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?
It is my sincere hope that we can move away from the need for Line 5 and toward the rapid production of a clean energy infrastructure that will not only protect our environment, but provide even more jobs for the union workers who would be participating in the tunnel project. If we are unable to move away from the need for Line 5, the tunnel would decrease the risk to our 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.
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 co-sponsored the polluter pay legislation in the past and will again. Who else should pay for it? Taxpayers? No thank you.