Carol Ode
DemocraticQ1 What policies, if any, do you support or envision in managing land-based resources in Vermont (i.e. water, open-space preserves, parks)?
“Preservation. Restoration. No toxins. Conservation.”
KEYWORDS: Preservation. Restoration. No toxins. Conservation
Q2 Natural resources and the natural environment in Vermont contribute to tourism, public health, agriculture, and manufacturing production. What policies, if any, do you support that could contribute to environmental stewardship, environmental research, or environmental protections in Vermont?
“Strong government support to collect data and make data-informed decisions to steward the environment.”
KEYWORDS: Strong government support
Q3 Vermont is facing growing flood risk, reduced snowpack, and altered forest composition. What policies, if any, do you support in addressing how natural disasters are affecting industries and life in Vermont?
“Build resiliency in the natural environment and in the built environment.”
KEYWORDS: Build resiliency in the natural environment resiliency in the built environment.
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 Vermont?
“Without doubt, we need to enact a law based on the bill, H. 727, that we passed last session. It was a major tri-partisan bill intended to regulate large-scale artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency data centers. 1. Goal: Create a comprehensive regulatory framework to shield Vermont’s electric ratepayers from skyrocketing energy bills, limit climate/carbon pollution, and protect water supplies from heavy industrial cooling demands. 2. Key Protections: Required closed-loop water systems or strict water-use limits, mandated quarterly water usage reports for large facilities, triggered Act 250 environmental reviews, and ensured utility contracts protected standard ratepayers from absorbing the infrastructure costs of massive 20MW+ data centers.”
KEYWORDS: comprehensive regulatory framework. consumer and environmental protection
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 Vermont, and how might they affect job opportunities in the state (if at all)?
“Alternative energy sources could be used across the globe to meet all new demand. We could accomplish environmental, climate and economic goals all at once. Green jobs that can not be outsourced would be one positive outcome.”
KEYWORDS: Green jobs