District 3

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Candidates

Jesse Davis

 

Issues
1. Energy efficiency, weatherization, and resilience
2. Mitigating human-caused climate change
3. Renewable energy and protecting against winter storm price gouging
4. Expanding recycling and food composting access
5. Regional park at the former Gibbons Creek mine lands

 

Survey Responses

1. Energy efficiency, weatherization, and resilience

Question: Weatherizing homes and buildings to be more energy efficient can make our neighborhoods more resilient against inclement weather, reduce pollution that harms our health, and save residents money on utility bills. Increased energy efficiency could also help prevent future outages from severe weather. Do you support creating municipal policies that will hold our commercial and residential buildings to the highest energy and water efficiency standards and increase weatherization in order to eliminate climate and air pollution impacts from buildings? 

Jesse Davis Yes

Question: As a Council Member, how would you work to help increase weatherization and energy efficiency in the community, especially for lower-income residents and people impacted by the February winter storm?

Jesse Davis:
To begin, I plan to support adoption of the 2021 International Building Codes when they come before City Council this Summer. We still operate under the 2012 code, if you can believe it. And many of the updates in the 2021 code relate to energy efficiency. That said, I also think it’s important to balance regulation with what regular people can afford and unintended consequences (like increased home prices). Which is why I would also support a residential winterization utility bill credit. It couldn’t be a huge program, because we don’t have the budget for it. But we can start somewhere.


2. Mitigating human-caused climate change

Question: Do you believe the City of Denton should prioritize solutions to mitigate human-caused climate change and make Denton more resilient against the impacts of climate change and inclement weather?

Jesse Davis Yes

Question: What will you do to reduce climate emissions in Denton and to make the city more resilient, such as investing in local community solar or weatherizing power plants, against the effects of climate change and extreme weather?

Jesse Davis:
I am a big support of Denton’s 100% Renewable power plan, which we actually surpassed during my first year on City Council (yes, we sometimes produce more than 100% of our power needs). As a member of the Committee on the Environment, I also support and advocate for policies that reduce the City’s share of emissions. Programs such as using electric or hybrid vehicles when practical and allowing certain positions to work from home (both of which we do) can make a difference. I would also like to add more money to our solar rebate program, as the budget allows.


3. Renewable energy and protecting against winter storm price gouging

Question: Will you ensure Denton keeps its commitment to using 100% renewable energy (wind, solar, and battery storage) and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels for energy and heating?

Jesse Davis Yes

Question: Denton Municipal Electric paid over $200 million to ERCOT due to price gouging during the February winter storm while many residents were without power or potable water. What will you do to protect DME ratepayers from excessive charges from the February storm?

Jesse Davis:
First, I am a big supporter of the City’s lawsuit against ERCOT, going on right now. The purpose of the suit is to prevent the City from paying certain fees and charges to ERCOT that we never should have been stuck with. We are also advocating in the legislature for accountability and structural changes at ERCOT that will prevent crises like this in the future.


4. Expanding recycling and food composting access

Question: Hundreds of Denton residents have written to the City Council in support of policies that would reduce solid waste by expanding recycling access and addressing food waste. Do you support creating solutions that would bring universal access to recycling and food composting to businesses and residences? 

Jesse Davis Yes

Question: How will you work to ensure that the city reduces its solid waste and increase recycling access over the long term?

Jesse Davis:
As one of my first major acts on City Council, I called for the City to investigate and adopt a comprehensive solid waste strategy, with the goal of adopting a Zero Waste Strategy. This plan is still in the investigatory stage, but I’m hoping for a report soon.


5. Regional park at the former Gibbons Creek mine lands

Question: Will you support the creation of a regional park at the Gibbons Creek former mine lands that protects Texas wildlife and history while promoting local economic development and healthier communities?

Jesse Davis Yes

Question: Additional comments you may have on question 5

Jesse Davis:
I clicked yes to this question, because I absolutely support the idea. However, there are many practical considerations to work through before it could become a reality. We don’t own the land outright–we co-own it in partnership with 3 other cities. If they would rather sell the land, but Denton refuses, we’d end up in a stalemate. It’s also not at all clear where the money would come from to build and maintain the park infrastructure. I’d estimate at least a few million dollars, and perhaps much more, would be necessary for things like entrance gates, restrooms, campsites, roads, and basic trails. Texas Parks and Wildlife has not shown any interest in running the park, so we’d have to provide staff and pay them. I’d love to see it happen, but we may have to find a compromise somewhere, or settle for less.

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