U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin says she’s open to the idea of new mines in the Upper Peninsula.
"I'm here for the Great Lakes. I don't want to do anything that does damage to the Great Lakes. But if [mining] can meet our strict standards, I'm open to it," she told reporters.
The Lake Superior region has seen increased copper mining interest amid the push for more renewable energy, causing conflict with environmental advocates.
"Michigan has the strictest standard for state law on mining, meaning strictest standard for environmental protection," she said. "I think that it's okay to entertain ideas about new mining, as long as it's up to strict environmental standards."
Slotkin visited Traverse City for a campaign event on Friday, where she touched on issues like cost-of-living and inflation.
She mainly spoke to environmental issues, like maintaining funding for Great Lakes research, PFAS cleanup and energy needs.
"I'm a big supporter of weaning us off exclusive focus on fossil fuels — so wind and solar, I'm interested in hydrogen, I'm interested in nuclear," Slotkin said. "I think for the power needs we're going to have going forward, we're going to need all the above."
Slotkin also spoke about what she called "environmental security," like preventing water diversions from the Great Lakes and preventing the sale of American farmland to China.
Slotkin will likely face at least one other Democrat, actor Hill Harper, in the primary on August 6th. The primary winner will go up against the Republican candidate in November’s election.
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