Rep. Chafee’s Pro-Environment Voting Record Earns High Marks on CTLCV 2023 Environmental Scorecard

HARTFORD – State Rep. Brandon Chafee (D-33; Middletown) is among legislators scoring high marks on the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters’ 2023 Environmental Scorecard. 

The Environmental Scorecard is intended to hold lawmakers accountable for their votes on environmental policy. The final score for each senator or representative reflects an average of their votes on specific bills. This year’s Scorecard covers a total of 31 bills affecting the environment. 

Rep. Chafee’s score of 98% earned praise from CTLCV Executive Director Lori Brown.

“Rep. Chafee made it clear from the start of his term in 2020 that he wants Connecticut to be a leader in the fight against climate change, protecting natural resources, and preserving open spaces,” Brown said. “I look forward to Rep. Chafee’s continued commitment to climate accountability and support of pro-environment policies in the 2024 legislative session.”  

Rep. Chafee launched the legislature’s first Climate Caucus in 2021, which has been active in supporting Connecticut’s current effort to adopt stronger clean air standards and reduce tailpipe emissions. As Vice Chair of the Planning & Development Committee and a member of the Environment Committee, Rep. Chafee is well positioned to advance policies in support of the environment. 

Among key votes, Rep. Chafee voted to establish a state decarbonization plan to guide state agencies toward goals prescribed by the Global Warming Solutions Act. The plan would provide a broad set of policies intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across multiple agencies. This economy-wide approach would include long and short-term goals and benchmarks.   

Rep. Chafee also voted to provide grants to towns for PFAS testing and remediation to help improve drinking water quality. In addition, he voted in favor of a statewide Carbon Budget calling for the state Department of Transportation and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to jointly establish a maximum level of greenhouse gasses emitted by the transportation sector.

In an effort to provide cleaner, healthier schools for our children and teachers, Rep. Chafee voted in favor of the Carbon-Free Schools bill as a member of the House Finance Committee. This bill would have leveraged state and federal funding to carry out cost-saving energy projects, fund solar and other energy efficiency studies, and provide technical assistance to evaluate and implement these projects. The legislation passed in the Senate with unanimous consent, but never made it to a House vote.  

This was the first year CTLCV included a separate “Democracy” score for all lawmakers based on voting rights legislation. Rep. Chafee earned a Democracy Score of 100%.   
These and other important initiatives were deliberated and voted on at the Connecticut General Assembly this year.  For more information about the CTLCV’s work on behalf of the environment, visit CTLCV.org 

​The public is also invited to attend CTLCV Education Fund’s annual Environmental Summit set for Jan. 23 where advocates, lawmakers, and policy experts will preview upcoming legislative priorities for the 2024 legislative session. The day-long session will be held in person at the CT Science Center with an online option and limited free access for youths. 
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