Ranking Our Reps on Environmentalism

The League of Conservation Voters just released its 2016 National Environmental Scorecard, which shows mixed results for the environment. 
 
New Jerseyans can be proud of eight environmental champions who consistently voted to protect our air, water and land against an onslaught of attacks climate change deniers. Unfortunately, too many Congress members – representing New Jersey and elsewhere – are voting to further the interests of polluters and developers instead of protecting public health.
 
Facing the triple threat of President Trump, Congress and Gov. Christie, we need environmental champions more than ever. Senators Menendez and Booker, earned 100% in this year’s scorecard along with Reps. Frank Pallone, Donald Norcross and Bonnie Watson Coleman. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Albio Sires and Donald Payne were nearly perfect. On the dismal side of the ledger, Reps. Leonard Lance, Tom MacArthur and Rodney Frelinghuysen scored no higher than 13%. Chris Smith scored 45 and Frank LoBiondo tallied 50. Significantly, the delegation’s most fervent anti-environmentalist, Scott Garrett, was voted out of office last November.
 
The shift to an anti-environment EPA makes this year’s election for governor the most important election we’ve faced in generations.
 
For 40 years, the LCV Scorecard has been conservation voters go-to guide: http://scorecard.lcv.org
 
Ed Potosnak
Executive Director, New Jersey LCV