Senator Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) commutes almost daily from West Virginia to Washington, D.C. on a private jet, as told by Punchbowl News.
"What a waste of tax dollars," one commenter said in a discussion of the article on Reddit.
Although it is reported that Justice provides his own funding for travel and does not use public funds, it seems to many that this method of travel is excessive not only in terms of cost, but also in the amount of damage it is doing to the environment.
When he was sworn in in January 2025, Justice explained that his commuting arrangement was temporary. "Well, I won't do that as soon as I get a place to live," he said. "Because I came right out of the governorship … got sworn in that day, and, so really, truly, we just haven't gotten a place yet."
Ten months later, his private jet is still his daily commuter. He reports that he has not had time to find a place to live in Washington.
The flight takes 40 minutes, one way, and he has been known to spend less than two hours in Washington, D.C. on multiple occasions.
"To be honest, it's a pain in the butt getting on and off the plane every day," Justice explained. "Talk about wear and tear."
While Justice is concerned about the wear and tear that private jet travel has taken on him, people who prioritize the well-being of the planet are more concerned about the wear and tear it is taking on the planet.
Private jet travel produces a substantial amount of planet-warming gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide, significantly contributing to air pollution that is overheating the Earth.
Because private jets typically carry very few passengers in comparison to commercial jets, the pollution produced per passenger is much higher.
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How much time do you spend commuting in the car each week? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Over an hour a day 😭 Many high-profile CEOs, athletes, and celebrities have been criticized for their private jet usage, a behavior that is often in conflict with an eco-conscious public persona.
Justice's near-daily commute via private jet has come under fire.
"Prolly wants to put as large a hole in the ozone as he can," said another.
One commenter reflected, "Meanwhile I take the Amtrak from Charleston to DC (because) I'm not an insufferable billionaire."
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