Matthew Clements
LibertarianQ1 The cost of electricity and water are on the rise with nearby data centers straining current resources in combination with increased energy costs to consumers. How will you navigate the economic, public health, and environmental impacts when considering new data centers and data center permissions, in general?
Data Centers can be an important part of our scientific and economic system. However, they should not be subsidized by government, or be allowed to have priority of resources, nor should they be allowed to circumnavigate building codes or local ordinances. Our power grid has been underinvested and our communal water resources are in danger with drought, pollution and other challenges.
In the scope of the position of joining the NC House I would ensure that Raleigh does not pick and choose winners and losers, and allows local oversight of zoning, restrictions, and other issues. Duke Power should not be allowed to pass on cost to rate-payers (either individual or business) to enhance power generation or costs to build out access. Also, using liquid or solid dinosaur remnant power generation to boil water for power has to stop.
Q2 North Carolina is a growing hub for science and biotechnology industry and education. How will you ensure science workforce preparedness in community-based institutions like K–12 schools and community colleges across our state?
The State of North Carolina has a Constitutional promise of a sound basic education for children. We are failing them on this promise. We need to have STEM programs, vocational education, as well as increasing civics and home economics to prepare our future leaders and workforce for success.
I’d propose to have 100% of the NC Education Lottery to be a supplemental addition to education, instead of the current shell game of reallocating budget to other projects with the proceeds from the regressive voluntary tax on those who cannot realize that the math of the lottery is never in their favor.
Community Colleges, secondary Vocational Programs should have a public-private partnership for mentoring and apprenticeship for science, trades, and vocations that is affordable if not completely funded by the state and corporate partners.
Q3 What steps, if any, do you believe government should take to protect public health and community wellbeing (e.g., vaccine access, environmental health risks such as PFAS or asbestos, disease prevention, or emergency preparedness)?
Government should help to coordinate and fund research to improve public health and keep that funding away from the bipartisan whim to cut or add depending upon political goals.
The residents of North Carolina should be protected and their access to safe drinking water, clean air safeguarded by the court system and regulatory bodies.
The recent PFAS ‘settlement’ that the State of North Carolina ‘accepted’ is a corporate sell out of the damages caused by Chemors across the state. Also the coal ash debate, and the hog lagoon debates are also examples of government picking and choosing winners and losers - with the losers being the residents affected by the malfeasance of Duke Power and Smithfields as examples.
Q4 As the world is becoming more information dense, science mistrust has grown. How do you think elected officials can work with scientists to build the general public’s trust in science?
Government should empower science to help our society advance. Politicians should provide funding and get out of the way of researchers and organizations working on advancing our common knowledge. The damages that the DOGE program did to grants and funding should never be repeated.
We can waste billions of dollars fighting an imaginary war on terror or drugs, and quander our opportunities for a better future. We have to do better for the future of our communities, the state of North Carolina and the United States.