Question #1. Flooding is one of the most serious effects of climate change on the daily lives of West Virginians. During the 2023 session, the Legislature enacted SB 677 which created a Flood Resiliency Trust Fund and authorized a one-time grant of $40 million in state general funds for the purpose of enhancing flood prevention and protection, using primarily nature-based solutions and concentrating in low-income areas. As of the date of this questionnaire, the Legislature has not committed this funding. Will you support committing the $40 million in funding to the Flood Resiliency Trust Fund?

Yes.

Question # 2. During the 2024 session, legislation was introduced to establish a community solar pilot program (SB 638). This legislation would have made it possible for low-income consumers, and people whose homes do not permit rooftop solar panels, to share in the reduced cost of electricity generated from a central, community solar facility. If similar legislation is proposed in 2025, will you support it?

Yes! I would support the legislation + personally invest.

Question #3. In 2009, West Virginia followed the lead of over thirty other states in adopting a renewable portfolio standard, which would have required electric utilities to procure a modest percentage of their electricity from renewable sources, including wind and solar. But in 2015, West Virginia became the first state to repeal its renewable portfolio standard altogether. If effective renewable portfolio standard legislation is proposed in 2025, will you support it?

Yes, coal and oil will be part of the energy supply here in WV BUT we need to move aggressively toward renewable energy sources at the same time.

Question #4. Electric vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions and are inexpensive to operate. Yet West Virginia legislation and policy inhibits the adoption of these vehicles. During the 2024 session, legislation was introduced to eliminate the discriminatory extra registration fees for alternative fuel vehicles (HB 4771). If similar legislation is proposed in 2025, will you support it?

Yes. The auto industry here in WV seems intent on keeping EVs at a low level in the market. We need to drive less, mass transit, walk & bike more and promote all fuel efficient vehicles.

Question #5. Methane is one of the most powerful greenhouse gasses known to man. This gas is often leaked from improperly maintained, orphaned or abandoned gas wells. During the 2024 session, legislation was proposed (HB 5414) that would prevent future orphan gas and oil wells by requiring an operator to post a bond sufficient to cover the full cost of plugging, or to pay production-based amounts into an escrow fund sufficient to plug the well at the end of its useful life. If similar legislation is introduced in 2025, will you support it?

Yes. The shifting of the responsibility for defective orphaned wells is corporate welfare. The industry need to be held accountable for the “by products” of its practices.

Question #6. Will you support legislation that will require the State of West Virginia to prioritize planning and preparedness to counter the long-term threat posed by climate change to the health, safety and prosperity of our citizens?

Yes. Absolutely. Positively. Global warming represents a monumental threat to the quality of life of West Virginians.

Question #7. During the 2024 session, the legislature passed and sent to the Governor a bill that would have increased West Virginia’s small Renewable Energy Facilities Program from 50 to 100 megawatts (HB 5528). The Program was created to assure out-of-state companies that are committed to using renewable sources for some of their power consumption that they can safely locate in West Virginia. Governor Justice vetoed the bill claiming that it was a threat to coal. If similar legislation is proposed in 2025, will you support it?

Yes. Gov. Justice has been a narrow-minded lackey for the fossil fuel industry. We need to demonstrate to out-of-state investors that we are serious about short + long term quality of life in our state.

Question #8. Carbon offset agreements are private contracts made between landowners and businesses in need of carbon credits to withdraw privately owned land from development. During the 2024 session, legislation was proposed (SB 822) removing land subject to carbon offset agreements from favorable tax treatment as managed timberlands, requiring the purchaser to pay an excise tax to the state of as much as 50% of the value of the agreement, and declaring it West Virginia public policy to void the restrictions on future timbering in private covenants. This legislation would jeopardize existing conservation easements. If similar legislation is proposed in 2025, will you oppose it?

Yes. Responsible timber land management is a win-win situation. Timber farmers can profit from keeping their land trees working for the common good + make a few bucks in the process.

Question #9. Large solar generating arrays are often located on farmland. During the 2024 session, legislation was introduced to create a tax incentive for the location of these solar arrays on degraded land previously used in manufacturing or mining (HB 5416). If similar legislation is proposed in 2025, will you support it?

Yes. Makes common sense!

Question #10. During the 2024 session, legislation was proposed authorizing the acquisiton and development by the state of land for recreational and rail trails suitable for non-motorized use, such as hiking, bicycling and horseback riding (SB 196, SB 426). If similar legislation is proposed in 2025, will you support it?

Yes. Recreational tourism has a huge economic potential for our outdoor resource-rich state.

Question #11. West Virginia leads the nation in deer/vehicle collisions, killing over 10,000 deer and creating property damage and risk to human life. Highway fencing and the construction of wildlife under and overpasses dramatically reduce this needless damage and risk. If legislation is proposed for wildlife crossing corridors on state highways in 2025, will you support it?

Yes. Great idea.

Question #12. During the 2024 session, legislation was proposed that would open all West Virginia public lands to widespread timbering and economic development for special interest projects (SB 688). Under this type of legislation, state parks and wildlife management areas could lose protections against development through secret, non-competitive bidding. If similar legislation is proposed in 2025, will you oppose it?

Yes. Parks and public open space have intrinsic value for short + long term quality of life.

Question #13. During the 2023 session, The PFAS Protection Act was passed that required the state to develop action plans to address PFAS pollution in public water supplies and required companies using PFAS to report their usage to the WVDEP. If the PFAS Protection Act was amended in future years to address additional contamination concerns, would you support it?

Yes. Huge problem with immense public health implications.

Question #14. Why should young West Virginia voters concerned about the effects of climate change on their daily lives choose you over your opponent?

I am probably one of the strongest environmental voices in the state. My Republican opponent has shown little regard for the health of the environment.

Question #15. What do you believe is the proper response that should be made by the state of West Virginia to the recent proposed EPA regulations on power plant emissions?

Power plant emissions must continue to be reduced. Heart disease, lung disease + many cancers are associated with air + water pollution.

Question #16. If the greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of fossil fuels by electric power plants must be reduced, what is the best way to do this while still supporting fossil-fuel workers and communities?

Worker must be supported with good pay in job opportunities. Many solar and wind projects support good paying jobs. Workers’ economic health must be a priority.

Question #17. What is the best way to balance protection of our natural heritage for future generations against the need for development and new jobs now?

My thrust is toward developing economic tourism + promoting good quality education + preserving the health of our environment, which is fundamental to quality of life.