Rachel "Rae" Krantz
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?
When the Project Washington data center was first proposed, I attended the first town hall on the topic. I then joined Sierra Club’s Delaware chapter in canvassing the local neighborhoods to educate community members on the proposal and how they could voice concerns to county council. I was proud to be in the room when New Castle County Council passed the commonsense data center regulation ordinance.
The major concerns I have, and what I’ve heard from residents, are how data centers will increase our electric bills, affect our sleep and health, reduce our water quality and availability, decrease our property values, pollute our air with diesel generators, and harm our struggling wildlife populations.
At a state level I would:
- Support a data center moratorium
- Require data centers to pay for their own power generation and system upgrades instead of shifting costs to regular ratepayers
- Support a special tariff for large-load customers, including data centers, with demand of more than 75 megawatts
- Phase in renewable power purchase agreements specifically for data centers
- Mandate data centers reduce power usage during peak-demand events to stabilize local grids
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?
As the lowest lying state, Delaware is on the front line of sea level rise. We are already facing the effects of tidal and inland flooding as well as salt water intrusion. NOAA now estimates that tidal areas could see flooding on more than 100 days per year by 2050. That’s a dramatic increase from the dozen or so we see today. I support significantly increasing our preparedness and taking action on multiple fronts.
Flood Mitigation
- Restore the ecosystems that dampen the effects of storms and protect against erosion like coastal wetlands, dunes, and reefs. Consider the addition of artificial reefs offshore to decrease erosion.
- Invest in green infrastructure and stormwater management projects like bioswales, rain gardens, and permeable ground surfaces.
Sustainable Development
- Update building codes to sustainable standards for the future such as requiring designs that anticipate higher flood elevations or temperature extremes.
- Elevate our energy infrastructure to increase its resilience.
Resident Protections
- Prepare for the possibility of strategic retreat wherein the state would support voluntary relocation for people and infrastructure located in areas facing severe risk.
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?
I know it’s important we recognize youth substance use as a problem of public health and systems, not some individual failing. We need to understand the root causes in our communities and an individual’s life to effectively address each person’s needs. I believe our state can best prevent substance use in kids by funding evidence-based school programs, improving access to youth behavioral healthcare, and offering treatment not punishment.
I would support:
- Funding evidence-based and age-appropriate programs that offer prevention education in all K-12 schools, for all grades.
- Running youth-focused media campaigns highlighting the risks of substance use on developing brains.
- Expanding the use of the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment model, which is mandatory under Medicaid, to all children to regularly screen for behavioral health needs and connect young people to care.
- Addressing shortages of behavioral health providers by funding training, loan forgiveness, and telehealth infrastructure specifically for youth services.
- Ensuring youth struggling with substance abuse problems are given a treatment and support plan, not incarceration.