CTLCV RELEASES 2022 ENVIRONMENTAL SCORECARD

​The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) today released the 2022 Environmental Scorecard, a comprehensive review of the major environmental victories, challenges, wins, and losses for Connecticut’s environment during the 2022 legislative session of the Connecticut General Assembly. 

The 2022 Environmental Scorecard grades state legislators on their votes cast for or against environmental bills in the State House and Senate.
“The 2022 session was a major year for environmental policy in Connecticut, which included passage of five major bills to tackle climate change that will directly affect air quality,” said Lori Brown, Executive Director of CTLCV. “Many lawmakers created real change in environmental policy, and we want to thank all of our environmental champions for their work. However, there are still lawmakers who rank poorly, and we hope they will try to improve their scores next year.” 
For CTLCV members and voters who care about the environment, the Scorecard is especially valuable in an election year. It is a tool they can use to assess how their state leaders are handling important environmental issues. CTLCV hopes voters will consider this information at the ballot box on November 8.
The “Environmental Champions” listed in the report made their mark this year. The Scorecard highlights legislators who led pro-environment initiatives, as well as those who are “Out of Sync” with environmental values. Those who scored poorly are highlighted as well. 
“Voters need to know how their elected leaders vote on environmental issues. Either they are leading the way, or they are getting in the way,” said Brown.
There were five significant wins for climate, including the Connecticut Clean Air Act, an initiative to reduce pollution from transportation with a strong focus on equity and targeted investments. Another key policy win was the Climate Change Mitigation Act, which will require Connecticut to supply 100% of its electricity from zero-carbon sources by 2040.  
Overall, CTLCV scored lawmakers’ votes on twenty bills on issues ranging from wildlife and clean water to pesticides, land conservation, and more.
As always, there are many bills that did not make it over the finish line. The Scorecard lists the “Unfinished Business” that CTLCV expects to see re-introduced in 2023. Chief among them are sustainable solutions to our waste management crisis and updating CT’s Environmental Justice laws to prevent the siting of additional polluting facilities in overburdened communities.
“Considering the difficulties at the federal level in passing environmental laws—and that EPA’s enforcement abilities have been severely weakened—it’s more important now than ever that we elect pro-environment lawmakers at the state legislative level and hold everyone accountable,” said Brown
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The CT League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) is a nonpartisan statewide organization dedicated to protecting Connecticut's environment.  CTLCV works to pass equitable and sustainable legislation that impacts our air, land, water, wildlife, and climate and holds all state legislators accountable with an annual Environmental Scorecard. Visit ctlcv.org for more information on CTLCV.