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. The northern panhandle was devastated with flooding this spring. It showed us that we aren’t completely prepared for major water. I’m sure a lot of the state has been effected in the same way. I will support legislation that will protect the lives and property of our citizens. 

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 will support/propose legislation that helps to diversify how our citizens get power.

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, I believe that it is important to have options when it comes to our utilities. I will support legislation that helps us to spring into the next century of technology.

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.

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. I will support/propose legislation that holds the gas companies responsible for what the drill. They should be responsible from beginning to end. Making sure that it is done safely with little environmental damage.

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. We have to do what we can to limit the damage we are doing to the planet. I will be behind any plan to make our state environmentally friendly.

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. Simply adding renewable sources of energy does not threaten coal. The coal industry will have to adapt. I will support legislation that brings more businesses to WV, including renewable energy companies.

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. I believe that we must protect the states natural beauty and wildlife from over development.

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. I believe this would be a perfect solution. By using land that would otherwise sit vacant, we add jobs and diversify our infrastructure.

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. It is my opinion that tourism can be a big money maker for our state. I will support/propose legislation that further makes our state appealing to travelers from other places.

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. As long as the funding can be raised for the projects, I am in favor of wildlife corridors/crossings.

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. We cannot continue to sell our natural beauty in this state to the highest bidder. I will support/propose legislation that defend our state from being strip mined and left decimated.

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. I will support legislation that works to provide clean water to the citizens of our state. Clean drinking water should be a fundamental right in my eyes.

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’ve always strived to leave the places I am better than when I found them. I’m trying to do this on a bigger scale now. The future of our planet depends on better decision making. We need to make decisions to do the right thing whether it takes retraining an industry of workers, or a company making less money at the end of the year. We have to leave a better planet for the future.

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?

I believe that increasing the emissions caught to 90% is proper at this time. We should see continued innovations in the way emmisions are caught to keep that number where it is, or get it even higher.

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?

I believe continued innovation is the way to, not only retain the workforce, but create jobs in the industry to work with the restrictions to maximize output.

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?

Mindful legislation is all that can save WV. We need to bring business to our state, but it shouldn’t be at the cost of our greatest natural resources.