Where the Candidates Stand: Justin Pearson on Climate & Energy

Justin Pearson, the Democratic candidate for Tennessee's Congressional District 9, has built his platform around clean energy and lower utility bills. As a state representative and former community organizer, he has pushed the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the region's main power provider, to drop plans for new gas plants and move toward 100% clean energy instead. He argues this shift would help lower electric bills, pointing out that Memphis residents already pay a higher share of their income on energy than most other American cities.

Pearson has also called on TVA to reverse restrictions on rooftop solar and to use federal incentives, including those from the Inflation Reduction Act, to expand solar power, battery storage, and home energy efficiency upgrades, especially in low-income and communities of color. If elected and these policies gain traction, that could mean more support or funding paths for homeowners looking to add solar panels or make efficiency improvements, though no specific programs or dollar amounts tied to his candidacy have been detailed.

Beyond energy bills, Pearson has opposed the buildout of new gas infrastructure and criticized unpermitted gas turbines built to power a data center in Memphis, calling for a pause on large data center construction until rules are in place. His campaign does not include a stated position on electric vehicles. Tennessee's general election is November 3, with voter registration closing October 5 and early voting running October 14 through October 29.