Friday, September 16, 2011

Environmental group gives local reps. top scores

AUGUSTA The non-partisan Maine Conservation Voters gave Rep. Sheryl Briggs, D-Mexico, and Rep. Matt Peterson, D-Rumford, “4 out of 4” for their votes to protect the environment during the first session of the 125th Legislature. Both representatives have 100 percent lifetime scores from MCV.

“As an outdoor enthusiast and as a grandmother, I believe that it is important that we make sure that Maine is a place where we can continue to enjoy the outdoors now and in the future,” said Briggs.

“Maine's quality of place is a big part of what brings people to our state,” said Peterson. “In the River Valley in particular, where our industry is dependent on natural resources, a healthy environment equates to a healthy economy.”

Legislators were graded on their votes regarding energy efficiency, clean water, children’s health, wildlife and the North Woods. The Maine Conservation Voters 2011 scorecard measured votes on some of the most significant environmental issues passed this year:

· Children’s Health: LD 412 voting to ban the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in food and beverage containers, like baby bottles and sippy cups;

· Children’s Health: LD 228 voting against the repeal of Maine’s pesticide spraying notification law;

· Energy Efficiency: LD 1416 voting against weakening the statewide uniform building and energy efficiency code;

· North Woods: LD 1534 voting against establishing a biased study committee to eliminate the Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC), the state agency charged with conserving Maine’s vast North Woods.

In past years, MCV scorecards have been used to showcase votes that furthered protections for Maine’s environment, which is central to the state’s economic brand.

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