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.
The threat of Data Centers - a rush to build data centers without a deep understanding of the impacts these buildings have the on the people and environment around them. PFAS, the spread of PFAS is growing exponentially as we begin to test new areas in our state. The Sale of the Consumer's Dams. The Hardy Dam in particular no longer meets modern safety standards; the management of these dams are critical to the environment surrounding them.
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.
Other (please explain below)
I would be willing to revise the timeline if it looks like the state isn't close to meeting it. Because of the pushback on "fields of solar", I would like to see our stragedy change to help homeowners and building owners add solar.... in order to help meet our goal.
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 have attended state hearings on this topic. We need to look at our state holistically to plan any data center placement. The guardrails should include: data centers providing their own electricity, all water and waste need to go through municipalities in order to track flow rates, Laws regarding sound.. beyond that we need protections for workers and citizens so that AI is not used to hurt Michiganders.
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?
Ensure funds for testing, until we know how broad the problem is... the solution may not be complete.
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, there are a few pieces of legislation that need to be reformed. First to improve the number of community electric co-ops and then to make sure that utility companies are not discounting corporations on the back of residential rates.
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?
Line 5 is a potential catastrophic event that we shouldn't be chancing.
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
We need to make it clear in Michigan that any Corporation that is negligent in contaminating our environment will be held accountable for the clean-up. My family farm was a victim of the PBB crisis. I know what it is to work hard, do everything right and lose everything you have due to a corporation's lack of due diligence that poisons our environment. (my farm's catttle).