Robert Hollister

Energy for our future.

To have a bright future, we need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Electricity usage accounts for 26% of carbon dioxide emissions. To meet future needs, we need to change how we create electricity using sources other than fossil fuels. The rapid emergence of electric vehicles will also require more electricity that is based on non-fossil fuel sources.

Q1. What are some actions you would support to reduce our reliance on fuels that release carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases?

I believe that there needs to be a government driven migration over to renewables from fossil fuels. The Biden Infrastructure Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act started to shift money towards state and municipal governments in order to transition infrastructure to electric car focused for example. The government needs to be at the forefront with providing subsides to business and local governments to fund infrastructure projects like power generation and the shift of things such as public transit to renewable energy.

Another focus is to work on carbon capture projects to reduce carbon emissions from current fossil fuel emitters and from agricultural sectors which produce the highest amount of methane gas, which does a greater damage to the environment compared to other fossil fuels.

Q2. The Inflation Reduction Act is an historic expansion of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit to 30% through 2032. It makes resources accessible to homeowners as well as nonprofits, for the first time. The law says that people can get a 30% tax credit for installing solar panels. This means that more people will be able to afford to install solar panels. However, many people who desire to go solar can’t take advantage of the tax credit because they don’t earn enough. Do you support making renewable energy tax credits available to people with low-to-moderate income and retired homeowners? How else will you help low and moderate-income homeowners access solar and other renewable energy sources?

Yes I do. The federal government needs to focus on directing funds to low income and impoverished areas so that all Americans have the ability to access the benefits of the renewable transition. Agencies like the Department of Energy should focus on creating grant programs to award sizable funds to green energy renovations for low income and based on need. Inner city and low income areas are the ones being hit hardest by the climate changing and the government needs to fucus on addressing those concerns.

Q3. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates more than half of American homeowners cannot transition to solar because they don’t have the capital or a new enough roof. Community solar would allow everyone, including renters, to participate in the financial and environmental benefits of solar. How will you work to establish community solar in Pennsylvania that allows homeowners, not big utilities, to benefit from solar energy?

I would look at the Federal Government and the DOE to focus on making sure that money goes towards municipal utilities and collective groups who can use the money. Making sure massive funds are put aside to individuals that big energy companies cannot take is the main way to avoid this.

Q4. Are you aware of the challenges people face when trying to get permits for solar energy projects? What are specific ways to make it easier for homes and businesses to adopt solar and other climate-positive technologies to reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs?

I know that in certain jurisdictions in states like California the barriers to any kind of projects including green energy and solar renovations can be a massive burden. While I am not aware of any solar specific here in PA, as i believe a lot of regulations is still on the municipal level, I would look to state and federal regulators looking to ease red tape and give exemptions to the implementation of solar on community and residential buildings in an effort to expedite transition.

Agriculture and Land Use

The food, agriculture, and land use sector is responsible for 24% of greenhouse gas emissions. The twin forces of a growing population and rising consumption mean the challenge of managing land sustainably will only get harder. Today, agriculture and forestry activities create close to one-fourth of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.

Q1. Using regenerative agriculture in farmland spaces would help improve soil quality, reduce carbon emissions and pollution, and increase productivity. Drawdown Lancaster/RegenALL has identified some ways to incentivize regenerative agriculture as a way to address climate change. If you are elected, how would you support climate-positive agricultural practices?

I think the main focus with agriculture and land use is mainly runoff. I have worked with the Chesapeake Bay foundation and some of the biggest impacts to our local environment is agricultural run off that is flooding our waterways with contaminates. There needs to be some kind of capture or separation of agricultural land that does not lead to flushing waste and contaminates into our water system and drinking water. While skeptical of over regulation of farmers who already have to deal with a volatile market and international competition from China, the state and Federal Government could provide funds to weatherproof and make farms more contained while attempting to capture contaminates and gases like methane.

Q2. What will you do to improve agriculture practices and land use in our local community in ways that improve soil quality and agricultural productivity while activating agriculture’s potential to be a significant climate change solution?

I think looking towards sustainable agricultural methods already being used in the community. Using methods of field rotations and bumper crops that rejuvenate the soil is a farm to farm solution that can be beneficial monetarily and to the health of the environment. Another big issue is the federal government refocusing the massive agricultural stimulus it gives to large agri-business like Monsanto to local mom and pop farms who are implementing these practices, but who might need a little help to retool and refocus on the current best practices

Q3. Many resources are available to farmers who want to improve their operations and address climate change. The Growing Climate Solutions Act and the USDA Climate Smart grants are two examples. As an elected official, how will you make sure that these resources are available to as many people as possible, especially small farmers who need it the most?

I believe sending this money to states for disbursement who know local areas better then the federal government is a good start. You could also look to businesses that have a certain size or market cap in the industry, as well as have a reliable means test that the USFDA might have in existence to classify small and local farms.

Transportation

Transportation is responsible for 16 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. We now know that the use of fossil fuels for transportation has extreme costs to our climate and our health. Experts say that we need an electricity-based transportation system, including electric cars and commercial transportation, to progress. Many questions remain about how we create the necessary partnerships between business and government and implement the resources needed to achieve electrification of transportation and the reductions of greenhouse gas pollution that the science of climate change says we all need.

Q1. Do you support the completion of a public electric vehicle charging system by 2030?

Yes I do. I recognize the importance of providing infrastructure for the electric transformation in the automotive industry

Q2. Do you support the decarbonization of all public transportation and commercial trucking by 2040?

Within reason. As long as logistically, and while keeping US manufacturing and industry competitive, there needs to be a transition to public transit and trucking. I think public transport can be more aggressive out the gate, but trucking will need significant influx of cash from the federal government to buoy those industries through the transition.

Q3. How will you make sure that the largest numbers of your constituents (particularly the ones who need it the most) can access the financial resources needed for them to decarbonize their daily transportation needs?

Making accessible grants and programs distributed to individuals and groups at the local levels is the main way I see this massive amount of money coming from the federal government make sure that it makes its way into the hands of people who need it the most and not large corporations. Through Block Grants to local governments and communities is the best way to have these funds dispersed to individuals, among other already existing federal avenues

Q4. How will you work with the community, government, and business to build the partnerships necessary to decarbonize our transportation sector?

I believe that keeping ties with the community and with local officials is the best way to do that. Obviously, the transition will be funded by the federal government, so relaying my district’s needs at the federal level will be the best way to work with the local community. I plan to be transparent, have town halls, and listen to local community needs to best relay them to Washington. I have continuously worked in this campaign to have a constant line of communication to groups in my district in order to listen to what their concerns are. Having open discussion and continuing dialogue, as well as working with business leaders is how I plan to continue to do so in Congress

Health

Climate change has many effects on people’s health. People who don’t have the resources they need to live healthy lives are more likely to be affected by the negative impacts of climate change. Diseases from mosquitoes and ticks are increasing as well as heat waves and flood conditions. Lancaster County has notoriously poor air quality compared to many other counties in the region due to pollution from fossil fuels. This pollution affects people’s health, causing increased heart and lung disease for example.

What do you see as the connections between climate change, fossil fuel pollution, and community health?

Warming weather, extreme droughts, higher pollution, violent weather patterns, and many more man made climate issues are a direct impact of fossil fuel use and a product of climate change. I recognize the extreme impact that climate change has on our environment and local communities. I am deeply concerned with the disparate impact warmer temperatures has on at risk locations like in cities as well as more expansive devastation like Hurricane Ian in Florida. Regardless of how this country thinks about how climate change came about, the reality is that we need to act on stopping and reversing it yesterday.

Q2. What tools will you use as a lawmaker to help create significant climate and community health improvements?

In Congress I would continue to support legislation like the Biden Infrastructure Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act, which has put more federal dollars than ever towards climate change mitigation, transition to renewables, and hardening against at risk communities affected disproportionately by climate change,

Q3. Public transportation, trains, buses, and other alternative mobility solutions can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide more affordable transportation to our communities. How will you create policies that support these solutions?

Focusing on federal money that Congress can allocate to states for municipal and state governments to upgrade and expand public transportation infrastructure. In many cities there already exists rail or bus lines, so allowing those entities the funds to transition to renewable solutions would likely be the quickest way. I believe overall we will need something nationally to the Manhattan Project in order to get our transportation and energy system to the point of carbon free, and fully support the Federal government in doing so.

Buildings and Materials

Buildings play a large role in creating greenhouse gas emissions. Some emissions come from the materials used to make the buildings and the processes of construction, renovation, or demolition. In addition, when people use buildings, they produce emissions. Fuels are burned on site, primarily to heat space or water, or for cooking. The chemicals used for cooling and refrigeration can escape as emissions. Through these direct, on-site sources, buildings produce heat-trapping emissions. Buildings also use more than half of all electricity, creating significant off-site, at the power plant, electricity-generation emissions. 

Many building solutions help reduce emissions and make buildings more electricity-efficient. These solutions can turn buildings into a climate positive, ultimately helping them produce more energy than they use. Such solutions can also help significantly ease the “energy burden” many low-income households face.

Q1. If elected, how can you help ensure that we more efficiently heat and power current and future buildings and shift energy sources for heating, cooling, and cooking to reduce climate change, and ease the energy burdens on households?

Progressively transitioning building codes towards renewables mandated by the state and federal government is the best way to go about this. Much of building regulations lie with state and municipal governments. Federal agencies partnering with state entities to craft legislation is the best way we can go about mandating transition of building codes to effect the desired shift towards renewable use in buildings moving foreword.

Q2. In order for progress to be made, the Buildings and Materials sector must evolve into its potential to help fight climate change. In the position you are seeking, how will you use zoning, regulations, incentives, and other tools at your disposal to make buildings healthier and more efficient?

Incentivizing and mandating via the federal government is the main way that this can occur. Like most policy issues surrounding transition, state and federal governments will need to provide funds to cover excess costs of migration, as well as use tax breaks and other incentives to entice people and business to transition. At a certain point it will be likely that hard regulation and punitive measures will need to be put in place to make sure all are going to follow regulations set in place, as there will be great pushback during the transition.

Q3. Smart growth strategies have many benefits for the environment, local governments, and the private sector. They can save people money on things like energy and transportation while benefiting human health. This is particularly important for low-income residents. Once elected, how will you support the principles of smart growth? (See EPA - Smart Growth - “Smart Growth and Climate Change”)

Like many of the policy discussions already the most important thing is for the federal government to provide funds and grants for transition. In the adaptation section, much of the transition includes taking existing infrastructure and transitioning. With Block Grants and other disbursement routes, this money can effectively get to the places that are needed most. In the same vein, using Smart Growth Strategies in how the EPA and DOE craft federal law can also be a guiding principle in order to more effectively craft regulation and policy moving towards a carbon free future,

Q4. Some advocate for measures like construction material use penalties for high carbon-emitting products and systems. Tools such as zoning and tax incentives measures can be used to encourage the use of sustainable building materials. As an elected official, what strategies will you put in place to make our built environment into a climate-positive and equitable one for our future?

Incentivizing and mandating via the federal government is the main way that this can occur. Like most policy issues surrounding transition, state and federal governments will need to provide funds to cover excess costs of migration, as well as use tax breaks and other incentives to entice people and business to transition. At a certain point it will be likely that hard regulation and punitive measures will need to be put in place to make sure all are going to follow regulations set in place, as there will be great pushback during the transition

Q5. According to Project Drawdown, a comprehensive study on how to create climate change solutions, Refrigerants used in HVAC and food storage are one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. From the position of the elected office you seek, how might you address this issue?

Seeking a banning of certain of refrigerants would be the best way to avoid and transition this problem. You could also incentivize the seeking of alternative materials through government grants and science funding

Food

The food, agriculture, and land use sector is responsible for 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Strategies such as Regenerative Agriculture, Agroforestry and Conservation Agriculture can play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Farming and forestry practices can also help to remove greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere. Solutions that stop land-based emissions also increase carbon sequestration. It is important to focus on improving food security and agricultural resilience. This will create a more equitable and  robust food system that can withstand climate impacts.

Q1. What can you do as an elected official to help make sure that our food system is productive and climate-positive? What can you do to help ensure it will be equitable and better able to withstand climate impacts?

Focusing on incentivizing best farming practices as well providing funds from the federal government in order to both transition farms into reducing their climate impacts as well as hardening farms to be resilient to climate change is important. Providing funds through existing routes like Block Grants and existing Department of Agriculture funds can help solve the issues of disbursement of funds.

Q2. The USDA says that 30-40% of the food in the US goes to waste. That’s a lot of food – 133 billion pounds, or 161 billion dollars. Eliminating food waste will help families in need, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, preserve land and water, while saving energy.  As someone who is running for office, what are your plans to address this issue of food waste?

The main ways to focus on reducing food waste in my mind is through educational programs to inform people about the issue and educate folks on how to reduce food waste. the FDA and DOA can put funds towards this as well as try to incentivize restaurants and supermarkets to change food expiration labeling and storage systems. Another route is to change laws on food donations at the state and municipal level so supermarkets and restaurants can donate wasted food to the food insecure.

Q3. Once in office, what will you do to help speed up the process of transitioning to a more sustainable and equitable food system?

N/A

Q4. The US Farm Bill is a source of many of the problems in our food system. Its policies contribute to climate deterioration, resulting in low wages, and subsidize commodity crops that support large-scale, environmentally unsustainable industrial agriculture rather than smaller-scale farms that benefit people, local economies, and our environment. How would you work to create food systems that serve the majority of Americans and vigorously address agriculture-related climate issues?

I think the main issue is to remove agri-business subsidies that prop up large corporations that institute the worst practices with agriculture and then get the bill footed by the American people. Diverting massive federal funds that are already allocated to these large corporations, to local and small scale businesses who are implementing best environmental practices is how the federal government can incentivize best practices nationwide. The DOA and FDA need to also fix regulation on unsustainable practices and begin to target large industrial agriculture who are intentionally hurting the environment.