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. Septic Systems — Code (I have written the bills). Michigan is the only state in the country that does not require the inspection of septics to prevent leakage and pollution.
2. Polluter Accountability — Pays Package (I have a bill in the package). If a company pollutes, then they have to pay for the cleanup, not offload it to taxpayers.
3. Recycling — EV Fast Charging Network -- to speed transition from fossil fuels. We failed to role out a robust ultra-fast charging network over the last few years when we had the chance and must redouble our efforts to encourage customers to move from foreign gas to local electricity. Others: Statewide Recycling and Composting, Expanded Passenger Rail, Date Center Regulation
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
I was honored to vote for the Clean Energy and Jobs Act. I think we should now focus on laws to support its rapid implementation.
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?
Data centers are becoming a major part of the global economy, and Michigan has an opportunity to attract high-quality investment while protecting our communities and natural resources. We cannot let the massive data center corporations run roughshod over Michigan. That's why I voted against the tax credits for the corporations building and running data centers. Going forward, I support a balanced approach that allows for data center development but only if it creates good-paying union jobs, requires the use of clean energy, protects our ground and surface water, expands the grid, grows battery capacity, and contributes fairly to the communities where it locates. We need iron-clad guarantees that ensure large data centers are not driving up electricity costs for residents and small businesses. Instead, data centers must be mandated to finance investments in our energy grid, renewable power generation, and water infrastructure. Michigan can be a leader in the digital economy, but growth must be guided by strong labor standards, environmental safeguards, transparency, and community benefits so that working families share in the rewards.
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?
In Kent County, we have a long and continuing history of PFAS contamination in our rivers, lakes and groundwater. We need to expand state funding efforts to support communities bringing in municipal water infrastructure to impacted communities so they have safe drinking water. As a County Commissioner, I led the fight to expand safe drinking water infrastructure to neighborhoods impacted by PFAS contamination from airport runoff. I also helped other neighborhoods secure state funding for water connections. Of course, moving forward, we must work to prevent sprawl to places without underground water and sewer infrastructure. Finally, we must pass the PFAS package led by Rep. Tsernoglou. I'm honored to be part of this PFAS package of legislation. My bill requires EGLE to inform neighbors immediately if PFAS contamination is found in water in their area.
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
Too often, permit decisions consider projects in isolation while ignoring the combined effects of existing air pollution, contaminated water, industrial waste, and other environmental hazards that residents already face. A cumulative impact assessment would help ensure that all Michiganders — regardless of ZIP code, race, or income — have access to clean air, safe drinking water, and a healthy environment, while providing a more transparent and science-based permitting process.
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?
We need to take a long, hard look at the laws used by the Michigan Public Service Commission to determine rates. I have had some preliminary discussions on how to reform the MPSC. I am currently working on a bipartisan effort to elect some of the members of the MPSC so they are more accountable to customers and voters.
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 Great Lakes are Michigan’s most valuable natural resource. Protecting them must be our top priority. The current Line 5 pipeline segment on the lakebed of the Straits of Mackinac poses an unacceptable risk of a catastrophic spill that could damage the environment, tourism industry, and regional economy for generations. I support removing the pipeline from the lakebed within three years.
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 support the Water Equals Life (WEL) Coalition proposal on water affordability. The core part of that policy is the implementation of an income-based water rate that would mandate that water systems apply income-based rates to eligible customers capped at 3% of income.
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 strongly support legislation to hold polluters accountable for cleaning up contaminated sites. Taxpayers should not be forced to shoulder the costs when corporations or other responsible parties have polluted our land and water. That is why I have been proud to support and sponsor legislation as part of the Polluter Pay package led by State Representative Jason Morgan. These reforms would restore Michigan’s ability to require responsible parties to fully clean up contamination and help ensure that communities affected by toxic pollution receive the protection they deserve. Clean water, safe neighborhoods, and environmental accountability are fundamental responsibilities, and those who create pollution should bear the costs of remediation, not Michigan families.