Kyra Hoffner
DemocraticQ2 Delaware’s electricity is delivered through PJM interconnection, the regional grid operator for the mid-atlantic. Across the PJM region, electricity demand is rising in part due to large-scale data center development. What evidence-based policies, if any, would you support addressing the effects of AI-driven data center growth on electricity costs and grid reliability for Delaware’s residents?
Delaware must take a data-driven approach to managing the rapid growth of energy-intensive data centers within the PJM region. I support requiring large-load users, including AI-driven data centers, to bear the full cost of necessary grid upgrades through fair cost allocation, rather than shifting those costs onto residential ratepayers. We should also incentivize co-location of data centers with renewable energy generation and energy storage, reducing strain on the grid and improving reliability. Delaware should advocate within PJM for stronger interconnection standards and faster deployment of clean energy resources to meet rising demand. Transparency is critical, ratepayers deserve clear reporting on how large energy users impact costs and reliability. Evidence-based planning and regional coordination will ensure we protect consumers while supporting economic growth.
Q3 Federal agencies including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) project that Delaware’s coastal communities face increasing risk of tidal flooding in the coming decades. What evidence-based policies, if any, would you support to help these communities respond to increased coastal flooding risk?
Delaware is on the frontlines of sea level rise, and we must respond with science-based, proactive policies. I support expanding investments in nature-based solutions such as wetland restoration and living shorelines, which have been shown to reduce flooding while preserving ecosystems.
We should also strengthen coastal land-use planning by updating zoning and building codes to discourage development in high-risk areas and require flood-resilient construction standards. Strategic retreat and voluntary buyout programs must be available and adequately funded for the most vulnerable communities. I support increased funding for flood monitoring, data modeling, and early warning systems to improve local decision-making. Partnering with federal agencies like NOAA and leveraging their projections will help ensure our policies reflect the best available science.
Equity must remain central, resources should prioritize communities most at risk and least able to recover.
Q9 Delaware funds youth substance-use prevention programs through the Division of Public Health and the state budget. According to the 2024 Delaware School Survey, 26% of Delaware 11th graders perceive great risk in regular marijuana use, down from 50% in 1999. What evidence-based policies, if any, would you support to address substance use among young people in Delaware and ensure drug usage decline?
Addressing youth substance use requires a comprehensive, evidence-based approach grounded in prevention, education, and early intervention. I support expanding school- and community-based prevention programs that use proven models, such as social-emotional learning and peer-led initiatives, which have been shown to reduce substance use. We must also modernize public health messaging. As perceptions of cannabis risk decline, education should focus on brain development, mental health impacts, and impaired driving, delivered in a way that is credible and age-appropriate.
Increasing access to school-based mental health services is critical, as untreated anxiety and depression are key risk factors for substance use. I also support screening and early intervention programs, including SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment), in schools and primary care settings.