Kurt Webber
DemocraticQ1 What policies, if any, do you support or envision in managing land-based resources in New Hampshire (i.e. water, open-space preserves, parks)?
“We need to protect our environment both to protect the health of our citizens and to keep NH an attractive place to live and visit (particularly since tourism is important to our economy. Thus, I will support policies that protect our lakes and forests and also combat climate change.”
KEYWORDS: lakes forests climate
Q2 What policies and programs, if any, do you plan to implement regarding vaccines in the state of New Hampshire or throughout the US? What role, if any, does collaboration between scientists and policymakers have in this process?
“I am an engineer (MSEE from Stanford), believe in the scientific method and thus think that policymakers absolutely need to listen to scientists and make policies that are in keeping with the accepted science. This goes for vaccines, other medical issues, mental health, the environment, etc. As a founder of Camp Resilience (https://www.camp-resilience.org/), I am a firm believer in wellness (for everyone, not just veterans and first responders) and think we need more programs to promote wellness.”
KEYWORDS: “scientific method”, pro-vaccine, wellness
Q3 New Hampshire is facing growing flood risk, reduced snowpack, and rising sea levels. What policies, if any, do you support in mitigating how natural disasters are affecting industries and life in New Hampshire?
“We need to do much more to combat climate change by encouraging and promoting renewable energy. We should also make policies that reduce carbon emissions from state agencies as much as possible. However, it will take time for policies like these make a difference so, in the meantime, we need to be prepared for the climate-based disasters we know are coming, i.e. take measures to prepare for rising sea levels, floods, etc.”
KEYWORDS: climate change, carbon footprint, disaster preparedness
Q4 Advances in artificial intelligence and expansion of data centers are expected to affect industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, education, and transportation across the country. What policies, if any, do you plan to implement to address these potential impacts in New Hampshire?
“Whether you like or not, AI is here and going to stay. However, this doesn’t mean we can’t have reasonable regulations concerning it. We can also take steps to environmental issues related to AI data centers by requiring that they install solar panels or windmills to reduce their impact on the power grid and that they properly treat the water they use for cooling before releasing it back to the environment.”
KEYWORDS: regulation, environment
Q5 Electricity demand is increasing due to manufacturing, electrification, and data infrastructure. What role, if any, do you believe developing alternative energy sources should contribute to the country’s future energy mix? What plans, if any, do you have to develop these alternative energy sources in New Hampshire, and how might they affect job opportunities in the state (if at all)?
“WAs I mentioned in my previous answers, I am a big believer in renewable energy and think that we should promote and expand it as much as possible. This should include programs that help lower income families afford installing solar, wind or geothermal power. We could also look at leasing state land for solar or wind arrays. This would supply more power to the grid which would reduce carbon emissions and also be an additional source of revenue for the state. As evidence that I also “walk the walk”, I have solar panels on my roof and drive an EV.”
KEYWORDS: solar, wind, geothermal