Rep. Kavros-DeGraw, Advocate for EV Regulations, Earns High Praise on CTLCV Environmental Scorecard

State Rep. Eleni Kavros-DeGraw (D-17; Avon, Canton) ranks among the top scorers on the 2023 Environmental Scorecard published annually by the CT League of Conservation Voters.

The 2023 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. This year’s Scorecard covers 31 bills affecting the environment. 

Kavros-DeGraw, a member of the legislature’s Climate Caucus, scored 95% and earned high praise from CTLCV Executive Director Lori Brown.

“From the moment, Rep. Kavros-DeGraw was elected the Connecticut General Assembly, she has shown a strong commitment to the environment,” said Brown. “As Co-Chair of the Planning and Development Committee, Rep. Kavros-DeGraw has brought a level of awareness for the environment to that committee’s work. Rep. Kavros-DeGraw and her Co-Chair, Sen. MD Rahman, are making environmental concerns a much higher priority in the state’s Plan of Conservation and Development, now being updated for the 2025-2030 edition.”

Among key votes in support of the environment, Rep. Kavros-DeGraw 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.   

She also 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 gases emitted by the transportation sector.  Degraw has been a vocal supporter of the effort to require manufacturers to offer more clean transportation options to consumers in order to reduce tailpipe emissions in Connecticut. 

“Connecticut has some of the worst air quality and high Asthma rates in the nation.  We need outspoken legislators like Eleni Kavros-Degraw to stand up and fight for clean air,” said Brown.

Rep. Kavros-DeGraw also voted to provide grants to towns for PFAS testing and remediation to help improve drinking water quality. 

In an effort to provide cleaner, healthier schools for our children and teachers, Rep. Kavros-DeGraw 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.  

​These and other important initiatives were deliberated and voted on at the CT General Assembly this year.  More information about the 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 young people.  
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