In confronting the urgent and perilous reality of climate change, my North Star is an unwavering commitment to aggressive, innovative action to mitigate its worst effects, while ensuring a just and equitable transition for all. Recognizing that the oil and gas sector cannot be phased out overnight, I am dedicated to prioritizing and genuinely caring for the workers within these industries, acknowledging the limitations of retraining programs and seeking practical, supportive solutions. Simultaneously, I embrace the economic gold rush in clean energy, advocating for policies that not only protect our planet but also drive prosperity through sustainable, renewable resources.
I believe we have a moral and economic imperative to tackle climate change head-on, and here in Louisiana, that means both protecting our communities from flooding and coastal erosion while also seizing the opportunities in renewable energy. I support creating a statewide Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) with a dedicated solar carveout to ensure that a growing portion of our energy mix comes from clean, sustainable sources. I also strongly back net metering policies so that homeowners and businesses who invest in solar can earn fair compensation for the energy they feed back into the grid. By pursuing these measures, we can drive innovation, create new jobs, and help safeguard our coastlines and neighborhoods against the very real threats posed by a changing climate.