Dana Balter is running against incumbent John Katko, for the House of Representatives. John Katko has not responded at this time. Dana Balter’s answers are below.

Climate Action Survey QuestionsDana Balter (Dem)
Do you agree that there is a nearly unanimous agreement among scientists studying climate that burning fossil fuels is the primary cause of global warming leading to the climate crisis? Do you accept that scientific conclusion?Yes
Do you believe that climate change is already adversely affecting your district? Please give examples of such effects.Here in central and western New York, climate change is affecting us in numerous ways. Thanks to climate disruption, there are rising amounts of harmful algal blooms growing on our lakes, which affects our drinking supply. We’ve had unprecedented flooding, like the flooding of Lake Ontario and the 2018 flash flood in the Finger Lakes, which devastated homes and businesses in 14 counties. And we continue to experience dramatic weather pattern shifts, which are devastating our agricultural communities and jeopardizing the viability of our seasonal industries.
What priority would you assign to climate change matters?Working to address climate change will be a top priority for my office.
Do you support a carbon tax? Please explain.I do support a carbon fee and dividend. By putting a price on carbon pollution, we will reduce demand for fossil fuels and spur significant investment in renewable energy. This market-based solution is popular with both conservative and liberal experts and is something we can actually get done.
If so how would you use the money raised? If not, how would you allow the market to reflect the impacts of burning fossil fuels?The current carbon fee and dividend proposal distributes the money raised back to households across the country. If the proposal we pass leaves some of the revenue collected in the national treasury, I would support investing it in building green technology and infrastructure.
Do you support building more nuclear plants? Please explain.I support the maintenance of our current nuclear power infrastructure. Nuclear energy is an important low-emissions energy source that serves as a necessary bridge to our renewable energy future. In New York’s 24th district, nuclear power is a major driver of the Oswego economy, providing hundreds of well-paying jobs in the region. We need to financially support existing nuclear power generation and require stringent safety standards and protocols. We also have to make massive immediate investments in renewable energy. Otherwise, as nuclear power plants go off-line, we will increase our carbon emissions.
Do you believe that communities that would be adversely affected by limits on fossil fuel extraction should be compensated? If so how would you do it?I believe that the communities most adversely affected by limits on fossil fuel extraction should be given priority in green technology and manufacturing jobs.
Would you support ending the production of fossil fuels on federal land?Yes and, again, this must be accompanied by immediate, significant investment in renewable energy sources.
Would you support rejoining the Paris Climate Accord?Yes. Rejoining the Paris Climate Accord must be a top priority for the next administration.
Would you support measures to immediately reduce the release of methane, a very potent greenhouse gas, from drilling, pumping and refining sites throughout the country?Yes.
Do you support incentives for renewable energy development?Yes. Providing incentives for renewable energy development will move us closer to the goal of 100% renewable energy and will help create well-paying jobs for workers of all skill levels.
Do you support increasing gas mileage requirements nationally?I support returning to the gas mileage standards that were set during the Obama administration, which Trump has reversed.
Do you support a changeover to electric vehicles? If so how would you do so?I support making electric vehicles more accessible and affordable for individuals and households with tax credits. I also support the use of electric vehicles in public transportation systems. We need to invest in charging infrastructure across the country. We also need to plan communities in ways that encourage walking and bicycling and deemphasize our dependence on highways.
Do you support the siting of on and off-shore wind and solar farm development in New York?Yes. There is tremendous potential in wind and solar energy, and New York has the labor, industrial and research capacity to support these developments.
Do you support the goals and principles outlined in candidate Joe Biden’s plan to address climate change?Yes. I support Joe Biden’s plan to build a 100% clean energy economy, achieve environmental justice, advance sustainable agriculture, and invest in modern infrastructure, public transportation, and energy efficient buildings. As a member of Congress, I would work closely with the Biden-Harris administration to see these goals come to fruition.
New York State has enacted one of the most ambitious climate changes laws in the nation, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. How would you support its implementation?As a member of Congress, I would not have the ability to directly support the implementation of state policies, but I would work to bring federal resources to New York state to support our bold climate agenda. I would also co-sponsor and support legislation in the House that follows the lead of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
Energy Conservation through efficiency standards and building codes is essential to lower greenhouse gas emissions. How would you support these efforts?I will co-sponsor and champion legislation that requires all new buildings and public housing projects meet the necessary efficiency standards and building codes to lower greenhouse gas emissions. I will also work on investing federal resources in a major nationwide initiative to upgrade the energy efficiency of our existing infrastructure — another program that will create tremendous numbers of well-paying jobs to aid in the economic recovery from COVID-19.
If elected, what steps would you support to address global warming at the national level?I will co-sponsor and champion legislation to establish a carbon fee and dividend, invest in the renewable energy economy, modernize the grid, promote sustainable agriculture, and adopt responsible land management and reforestation practices.
Would you support banning fracking for oil and natural gas?Yes. If elected, I will support a national ban on fracking to match our state ban in New York.