Rep. Demicco’s Pro-Environment Support Earns High Marks onCTLCV 2023 Environmental Scorecard

HARTFORD – State Rep. Mike Demicco (D-21; Farmington, Unionville) earned one of the
highest scores on the 2023 Environmental Scorecard published annually by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters.

The Environmental Scorecard is intended to hold lawmakers accountable for their votes on environmental policy. The final score for each legislator represents an average of their votes on specific bills. Demicco, a longtime member and former House Chair of the Legislature’s Environment Committee, earned 98% on the Scorecard and high praise from CTLCV’s Executive Director Lori Brown.

“Rep. Demicco is one of our top go-to leaders on environmental issues at the State Capitol. He has consistently fought for policies to protect our land, air, water, and wildlife for future generations,” said Brown. 

As Deputy Majority Leader, Rep. Demicco is well positioned to advance policies in support of the environment and has been a strong supporter of clean energy to address climate change. Among key votes in support of the environment, Rep. Demicco voted to establish a statewide decarbonization plan to help Connecticut reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.  The plan would provide a broad set of policies across multiple state agencies, and take an economy-wide approach to address climate change with long and short term goals and benchmarks. 

He also voted in favor of a statewide Carbon Budget that requires 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. Demicco voted in favor of the Carbon-Free Schools bill.  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. While this legislation did not make it over the finish line, it is expected to be raised again in 2024.

Some of the environmental successes that Rep. Demicco helped to pass this year include grants to towns for PFAS testing and remediation to help improve drinking water quality; stronger laws to protect shoreline nesting birds; banning the overharvesting of Horseshoe crabs; and reducing “light pollution” that is detrimental to migratory birds.

​This year’s Scorecard covers 31 bills affecting the environment and three bills advancing voting rights. This was the first year CTLCV included a separate “Democracy” score for all lawmakers based on voting rights legislation. Rep. Demicco earned a Democracy Score of 100%.   

These and other important initiatives were deliberated and voted on at the CT General Assembly this year. More information about CTLCV’s work on behalf of the environment can be found at 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 students.