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. West Virginia is one of the country’s most flood-prone states, and this bill / funding is critical to protecting our communities. Flood resiliency is something that I would stand up for and support for the people of WV.

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! Community solar is a fantastic opportunity for building our our energy resiliency, and I would support community solar initiatives. When I was lobbying in Charleston, I was advocating for community solar bills regularly.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 worked extensively to get the PFAS Protection Act passed and in my current job, I work to successfully implement this legislation in WV. I would be honored to continue this work as a member of the WV legislature.

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

Climate change is impacting our lives, and will increase the devastating impacts in the years ahead. It is most wise for us to plan and prepare for these shifts, instead of trying to respond to crises once it is too late. Young West Virginia voters can help bring light to the demands we have as a generation, to ensure that we prioritize sustainable futures for people and the natural environment before profits.

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 it is a critical role of government to protect the citizens of the community. It is critical that we allow the regulatory experts within EPA and other organizations to lead with the best science, to inform our regulatory policy decisions. This will ensure that we can prioritize the health and well-being of our people. It is imperative that we do not allow profit potential to steer this conversation, but instead prioritize the immediate public health concerns of our constituents.

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?

We must prioritize a “just transition” in West Virginia. This means balancing energy and electricity production, environmental protection, and the rights / needs of workers employed by these industries. We must demand a shift from the history of extractive economies, to a future of regenerative opportunity. We need to ensure that the investment of our community members is being cycled back to the workers and families who have given so much to this work. As we build out new economic opportunities within this just transition, the people, planet, and productivity should all be able to improve together.

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?

Development and growth are not inherently bad words. However, we must use a critical lens when looking at the economic opportunities for our communities. We cannot give the green light to any project, without understanding the intended and unintended consequences that could come from that project. We must utilize local zoning and give voice to the people, especially those most directly impacted. If we do this, we can ensure that the growth (which our state does need) is consistent with the needs of our people and the values we stand by as elected officials. This will ensure more effective, transparent government relations, which will provide a stronger foundation for our growth. This is particularly of concern in Jefferson County, where our communities are some of the only populations that are experiencing growth in the state. We must use a critical, intentional approach to ensure that we are growing at a pace that is sustainable and beneficial to all members of our communities.