In August, The Shenandoah Group of the Sierra Club reached out to the 4 candidates on the ballot in the upcoming election.

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They asked 5 questions:

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1. According to Harrisonburg’s 2022 Community inventory report, the three biggest sources of community greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the city are: commercial (30.8%), transportation (27.5%), and residential (12.7%). How will you approach lowering GHG emissions in each of those sectors?

2. One of the community goals of Harrisonburg’s Environmental Action Plan is to “ensure that the transition to a low-carbon future is effective, affordable, equitable and inclusive.” How will you work to ensure that the environmental benefits are equitable?

3. 37% of community GHG emissions in Harrisonburg are from electricity. If Dominion Energy doesn't meet its VCEA renewable energy commitments sufficient for the City to attain its emissions goals, what actions will you take specific to our municipal utility, Harrisonburg Electric Commission, to reduce those emissions?

4. The city has started the process of revising its zoning ordinances. Sustainability and urban planning experts have noted that mixed-use and higher density development are ways that zoning rules can help address climate change. What opportunities do you believe this process presents?  What needs to happen to ensure that revising our zoning ordinances will produce equitable outcomes and promote the City’s GHG emission reduction goals?

5. What other environmental issues do you see in the city, and how would you address them?

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As these are questions that 50by25 is also concerned about, we wanted to share their answers with you:

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• Deanna Reed - (response)

• Laura Dent - (response)

• Nasser Alsaadun - (response)

• Javier Calleja - (no response)

 

Early voting starts September 20th, you can find out more info on the Harrisonburg website.