VOTE411 Voter Guide

I served 10 years in the United States Navy in the Nuclear Power Program. This include a six year assignment to a US Navy Nuclear Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine. There I managed the operation, testing and maintenance/repair of the nuclear reactor and its associated control systems. I am also a retired Energy Executive from Consumers Energy/CMS Energy. During my career I spent nine years with Utility Generation, followed by twenty-one years merchant energy generation. This included plants across the United States, supplying energy from diverse sources.. Examples include coal, natural gas, wood waste, agricultural waste, hydro, geothermal, and industrial gas. I am a graduate from Spring Arbor University with a degree in management.

The top issues are balancing the need to be environmentally responsible while ensuring a secure power to supply to individual, governmental and industrial/business customers. Presently, green power largely consists of wind and solar generation, supported by battery/inverter back up. The issue with relying on the green options alone leave holes in our ability to provide reliable power 24/7 (ie. cloudy days, days with minimal wind). There is a need for spinning reserve energy sources (electricity that can be increased or decreased based on demand). This should be a mix between gas/combined cycle, waste to energy, clean coal, and nuclear. We also need to develop future sources as the need will change and rely on native energy sources.

Participate as needed or requested public forums. Represent my community by keeping in touch personally and by social media(s) with my constituents. Continue to educate the public on the diversity and breadth of the energy portfolio that is needed. It will take considerable time to correct inadequacies rather than take a proactive approach. The important thing to remember is the need for a diverse portfolio, one that does on rely on a single (or few) sources.