Election Central

1.  Please list your civic activities over the last five years. 

2.  Climate science shows we need to drastically reduce emissions by 2030.  What is your timeline for transitioning to renewable energy?  

3. Do you support efforts to implement community solar?

4.  The cost to operate and maintain a small modular nuclear reactor (the most efficient type available) will be $106.92 per kW of generating capacity per year plus some added variable costs.  For solar the cost is $17.16 per kW of generating capacity per year and for wind the cost is $29.64 per kW per year - each with zero added variable costs.  The cost to construct a nuclear reactor averages eight times higher than for wind and ten times higher than for solar.  It would take about 800 windmills to replace a nuclear power plant.  What is your opinion about restarting the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in terms of benefits per unit of cost?

5.  Look at past recorded weather patterns or ask any experienced Van Buren farmer or gardener and they will tell you our growing season and weather patterns have changed significantly over the past thirty years.  Spring weather is particularly challenging.  Frost damages fruit buds more often and "false springs" are putting the fruit industry at risk.  Wet fields often make spring grain and vegetable crops difficult to plant.  Prolonged droughts have resulted in a greater need for massive irrigation systems to grow most crops.  What short term and long term plans would you support to help growers in our county meet the increased climate related challenges that are threatening their success?  Short term:          Long term:

6. What do you see as the biggest challenges to addressing climate change through local policy? How would you collaborate with elected officials, businesses, individuals, and other community stakeholders to address these challenges?