Tia LeBrun
UnaffiliatedQ1 There are currently over 20 data centers in Louisiana, with major companies recently announcing investments of $3.6 billion to $10 billion to build data centers in the state. How, if at all, do you see data centers impacting Louisiana’s, and the wider United States’, economy, livelihoods and environment?
I am opposed to all data centers in Louisiana and along any river that drains on LA land. There are not enough permanent jobs or contracted community benefits for me to stand with companies desiring our communities to sacrifice land, water, and peaceful landscape for their profits.
Q2 Louisiana has the highest rate of wetlands loss in the United States, and within the past 100 years, Louisiana’s barrier islands have decreased in area by more than 40 percent. Among other things, coastal land loss puts people and property at higher risk of being impacted by hurricanes; this was acknowledged in 2017, when the then-government declared a state of emergency for the Louisiana coast. Shoreline restoration and the management of natural buffer zones has shown promise in lessening the damage from hurricanes. What strategies, if any, would you support as a leader to protect our coastal communities?
For this problem, I would propose we have LA citizens apprentice in the Netherlands to learn land recovery from the experts. We have a critical need to reinforce our barrier islands, and we have the know how currently for that. However, long term preservation requires outside, expert support. We must prepare for that. I would push to fund programs like Glass Half Full that recycle glass that can be turned back into sand for our coastal environments. I will support efforts to plant deep‑rooted and fibrous native plants that anchor soil, reduce runoff, and can cut erosion to preserve wetlands. Investment for living shorelines and restored wetlands slow waves and trap sediment, oyster reefs add natural breakwaters, and engineered revetments or levees are all important projects to fight for.
Q3 Louisiana is a state inextricably tied to its waterways, whether it be through fishing, tourism, irrigation, or the water we all need to drink. What actions, if any, will you take to ensure the health of Louisiana’s rivers and lakes?
Enforcing current regulations and assessing whether or not those are enough to protect Louisiana citizens is essential. No community in our nation should sacrifice health for the wealth of corporations. Protecting our aquifers and fresh waters is critical. Without healthy land and water, we cannot have a firm foundation for the future.
Q4 Do you think elected officials have a role in working with scientists to build the general public’s trust in science? How, if at all, do you envision working with scientists?
Science must guide every decision. Experts are needed in every aspect of health, from our land to our bodies. I would invite scientists to consult on every project/funding proposal to have the data necessary for intelligent recommendations.
Q5 What role, if any, do you see community-based institutions like K–12 schools and community colleges playing a role in strengthening science and research across our state, and what policies, if any, would you support for these institutions?
Involving programs targeting birth-20 citizens would be the most effective in drawing in youth and talented individuals who can support our efforts to protect our natural world. Our science standards must be better focused on the needs within states. Generalized science knowledge is wonderful, but people need to learn actionable and relevant skills and concepts for their local communities. Apprenticeships in high school should be expanded to include those high-need professions to protect local environments and ecosystems.
Q6 Energy affordability is a significant issue among our communities, with costs rising across the state and nation. Alternative sources of energy (such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, or geothermal) may help with affordability. What role, if any, do you see alternative forms of energy playing in Louisiana’s future?
We have an urgency in our state and nation to adapt to newer, renewable energy sources. Even limited funding for adding solar panels can have an impact on neighbors in communities. We must promote more responsible energy usage with financial and psychological reward systems.