Issue Position: Environment

Issue Position

Fracking
I oppose all hydrofracking in the United States, and would cosponsor a bill to ban this activity. Dangers of hydrofracking include carcinogenic contamination of water and air, along with the accompanying impacts on human health. Fracking is incredibly water-intensive and often results in groundwater overuse. Fracking disrupts wildlife and causes earthquakes. Meanwhile our legislators are passing laws that allow fracking companies to hide the chemicals to which they are subjecting the public.
I believe we must stop the poisoning our neighbors and environment in pursuit of dwindling non-renewable fuel resources.
Accountability
I believe that I am uniquely qualified to speak on the environment given my experience as an advocate for justice in the case of the CTS Corporation. In 1986, CTS Corp. left our Western NC community and also left their toxic waste, seeping into our groundwater and air. Too many people of gotten sick and too many people have died. To date, Congressman Patrick McHenry has yet to meet with any victims of the contamination coming from the CTS site. I worked with and for impacted members of the community to take the case all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. I co-founded the Asheville Community Advisory Group to secure safe city water for 154 South Asheville homes. I partnered with Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger to stand up for our service members who were affected by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune. And I will continue to stand up to any entity that abuses our land and our citizens.
Climate Change
I agree with 97% of climate scientists that: "climate-warming trends over the past century are very likely due to human activities." Methane and CO2 emissions are rapidly changing the world; we see the ravages of weather intensification and climate extremes through stronger hurricanes, more severe drought, and heavier flooding. We must act swiftly and decisively to significantly reduce carbon and methane emissions. Only a society resigned to it's own extinction would be so irresponsible as to disregard the dire consequences of continuing inaction.
Incentives for Renewables
I support incentives to increase green technology research and development (R&D) and utilization. I support personal and corporate renewable energy tax credits, and I support green building incentives for companies that obtain green certification such as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. I support public investment in green capital construction projects including transportation systems and public buildings, in particular green school construction. I support public-private R&D partnerships at the university level, such as the Next Generation Power Electronics Innovation Institute, a new technology hub hosted at North Carolina State University that will focus on wide bandgap technology, an energy efficiency innovation that promises to eliminate up to 90% of power loss in electricity conversion.
Carbon Emissions Control
I intend to cosponsor a bill to commit the United States to work with international partners to reduce total global carbon emissions to 350 ppm, as advocated by NASA scientist James Hansen and other leading climate scientists. Even the Chinese government has recognized there is no time to waste, and is moving decisively to control carbon emissions with a market-based permit system.
Keystone XL Pipeline
I oppose the Keystone XL Pipeline. It would yield fewer than 50 permanent jobs and is designed to transport Canadian oil destined for export overseas. The route crosses the Ogallala Aquifer, which supplies about 80% of water used in the High Plains area, much of that dedicated to agriculture. We cannot risk our water and food supplies in chasing the dragon that is the shrinking supply of fossil fuel. It is time to embrace green, 21st-Century energy sources.
Trade Agreements
I oppose legislation to implement any bilateral, regional, or unilateral free-trade agreements that do not require enforcement of internationally recognized workers' rights and environmental standards. The dangers of ceding authority, turning our backs on the rights of workers, and sacrificing our environment for the sake of corporate profit is too great of a risk, and I will work doggedly in opposition to it.
Animal Rights
Animals are part of our campaign and their lives matter. My stance on social justice will always include nonhuman animals and my votes on Capitol Hill will reflect these values. All of my companion animals have had a profoundly positive impact on my life. As a representative, I will work to: enact mandatory spay/neuter laws; end the use of animals in zoos, circuses, rodeos, aquariums; stop cosmetic and toiletry testing; get chimps out of labs; ban ivory products; pass resolutions and bills addressing disease prevention and the benefits of a plant-rich diet. I support the Pets on Trains Act, H.R. 2066/S, 1710, which would require Amtrak to develop a pet policy that allows passengers to transport domesticated cats and dogs on certain Amtrak trains.
I support the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act, H.R. 183, to establish a pilot program for veterans with PTSD to train dogs as a form of therapy, in which the trained dogs are given to disabled veterans. I support NIH's efforts to retire federally-owned chimpanzees to sanctuaries, providing a better life for the animals and less cost to taxpayers. I support increases in funding for developing alternative chemical testing methods which in turn would save future animals from the cruelty of animal testing. I support continued funding for programs that help protect critical wildlife habitat and prevent poaching around the world.

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