A Vermont environmental group released a scorecard on Wednesday that ranks lawmakers on environmental policy positions in the last legislative session.
Vermont Conservation Voters tallied lawmakers’ positions on key environmental and energy issues last session, including new regulations for development on lake shorelines, toxic chemicals in children’s products and genetically modified ingredients in food products, as well as renewable energy policies.
“With such critical environmental threats facing our state – from climate change to a polluted Lake Champlain – we need to let our legislators know that we’re watching, and want them to support of a healthy, thriving Vermont to pass on to our children and grandchildren,” said Lauren Hierl, political director for Vermont Conservation Voters, in a statement.
The scorecard counts roll call votes on certain bills and amendments. Absences are counted as a negative vote. For issues debated in committee before a full floor vote, VCV outlines certain lawmakers’ positions on issues.
VCV is the political arm of the Vermont Natural Resources Council, though the two groups are separate legal entities. The two groups share several board members and some fincial resources