Name: Derrick Quinney
What office are you running for? Ingham County Register of Deeds
Campaign phone number: (517) 706-9883
Campaign email: Derrickquinney35@gmail.com
Campaign website: None
Campaign social media: None

1. The best available climate science shows we need to drastically reduce emissions by 2030. Ingham County policy and action should align with the goals set by Federal, State and local governments. What is your timeline for Ingham County's transition to renewable energy? How would you support efforts to implement community solar and to increase the use of geothermal and wind energy?
As the Ingham County Register of Deeds, I support the goals and progress of Ingham County’s move towards transitioning to more renewable energy, such as the Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (“PACE Program”) implemented in Ingham County in 2012.

 

2. Transportation is one of the largest sectors for carbon emissions. This has the immediate effect of creating poor air quality. As Ingham County grows, we must look for ways to make transportation more affordable and less polluting. Expanded public transit, EV infrastructure, and improved bike/walk safety are all critical parts of the solution. What policies and initiatives do you support to make Ingham County less car-dependent and more walkable, bikeable, and with improved access to public transportation? What funding would you put in place to implement these initiatives?
As the Ingham County Register of Deeds, while not directly involved with the funding of initiatives implemented by Ingham County to improve environmentally friendly transportation, I wholly support the efforts being made by Ingham County to make transportation greener and safer for all Ingham County residents.

3. Climate change disproportionately impacts frontline communities, especially low-income and Black, Indigenous & People of Color (BIPOC) communities. What actions do you support to address these imbalances?

Issues that disproportionately impact low-income and BIPOC members of our communities are complex issues that require the visible collaboration and participation of everyone from within our diverse community to voice their opinions, share their ideas for solutions, and visibly engage with the political system to impact the changes that will benefit our entire community, especially those who are most vulnerable.

4. There is unequivocal data that the health of underrepresented communities are disproportionately affected by environmental factors such as air pollution, PFAS poisoning, flooding, and climate change. What can Ingham County do to address the health impacts of environmental contamination?

As the Ingham County Register of Deeds, I’ve been made specifically aware of environmental contamination that involves the homes of our residents, such as lead contamination, and fully support Ingham County’s multiple programs to support underrepresented communities, including a HEPA Vacuum Loan Program. Ingham County’s progress in addressing other environmental concerns would have my support as well.

 

5. Federal funds are often directed to benefit Low Income Disadvantaged Communities (LIDAC) and can help achieve climate justice goals. Accessing this funding on behalf of Ingham County will help those in Ingham County who need that support and will bring equity to energy costs, transportation, food accessibility, and human health. Where would you like to see Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and other Federal investments made in regards to affordable clean energy? What can be done to ensure the process of obtaining rebates and tax credits is easy to access for those who are seeking the assistance?

 Ingham County has implemented many policies and locations for ease-of-access, such as ballot drop boxes and transportation assistance services through CATA, and the community of Ingham County Residents have also created a network of services to feed and house members of our community that require that assistance. Increased funding for those efforts for Ingham County’s increased availability of resources, and community access to funds, would have my full support.

 

6. How we handle waste plays an important part of reducing emissions. How will you support waste reduction efforts, such as improved participation in recycling, removing organic waste from the waste stream and promoting composting, and a single-use plastics ban?
As both the Ingham County Register of Deeds and a member of the Ingham County community, I fully support more visible participation of both County offices and community members of our existing recycling and waste-reduction programs.

7. What do you see as the biggest roadblocks to addressing climate change through local policy? If elected, how would you collaborate with elected officials at all levels of government, businesses, individuals, and other community stakeholders to address these roadblocks?
As the Ingham County Register of Deeds, our community is unique in that it’s invested, diverse, and collaborative. Ingham County has implemented some wonderful programs and supported a wide range of community efforts to support and increase the effectiveness of these programs, and continuing that momentum by being communicative and collaborative with our community is the best way to defeat these roadblocks.

 

8. Conventional norms of development and landscaping are definitively linked to plummeting populations of pollinator species such as birds, bats, and bees. What actions can Ingham County take to conserve and restore biodiverse habitats? What steps can Ingham County take to make such considerations the standard for land use?
Ingham County is fortunate enough to have wonderful examples of large cities in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula that we can look to for guidance on how to expand Ingham County’s commercial and residential properties, while remaining biodiverse and sustainable for generations to come.

9. Private homes, businesses, and agricultural operations often use chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers that run off into water, causing great harm to aquatic wildlife and, left unchecked, can cause mass die-offs. What responsibility do Ingham County officials have towards water and wildlife?

As the Ingham County Register of Deeds, I’ve seen examples of properties that have been adversely affected by human activity, and support the efforts of Ingham County officials and citizens to prevent damage to the land, water and wildlife that are part of what makes Ingham County a wonderful place to live.