21 State Lawmakers receive “A” on Sierra Club 2019 Legislative Scorecard, Nine Receive Perfect 100 Percent Score
Climate and Energy Scorecard Ranks Votes Related to Protecting Virginia’s Environment and Combating Climate Change
RICHMOND, Virginia — The Sierra Club Virginia Chapter has released its sixth annual Virginia General Assembly Climate and Energy Scorecard. The scorecard grades state legislators on their votes on key energy and climate-related bills during the 2019 General Assembly session.
“In a year when every seat of the General Assembly is up for election, it is crucial for voters to distinguish rhetoric from reality on their legislators’ voting history,” said Bob Shippee, Legislative Chair of the Virginia Chapter. “Our annual scorecard shows a contrast between legislators who voted pro-environment, supporting strong policies that will protect our climate, and those who did not.”
With the climate crisis rapidly unfolding and public health consequences being felt across the commonwealth, the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter sets a high standard for lawmakers to receive a top grade. Only nine of Virginia’s 40 senators and 12 of 100 delegates received an “A” grade on this year’s Sierra Club scorecard. “As you can see, it was not easy to earn an ‘A’ this year,” said Shippee.
Two Senators scored a perfect 100 percent: Sen. Jeremy McPike (D-Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park), and Sen. Lionell Spruill (D-Chesapeake, Norfolk).
Seven Delegates scored an ‘A+’: Del. Dawn Adams (D-Chesterfield, Richmond), Del. Jennifer Caroll Foy (D-Prince William, Stafford), Del. Lee Carter (D-Prince William, Manassas), Del. Elizabeth Guzman (D-Prince Wiliam, Fauquier), Del. Debra Rodman (D-Henrico, Richmond), Del. Danica Roem (D-Prince William, Manassas Park), and Del. Kathy Tran, (D-Fairfax).
“With the rollback of bedrock environmental protections at the federal level, the need for environmental champions in Virginia has never been more crucial,” Kate Addleson, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter Director, said. “We commend the lawmakers who consistently take action to protect Virginia’s air, water, wilderness, and climate.”
View the complete 2019 Climate and Energy Scorecard at http://vasierra.club/scorecard2019.
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About the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter: The Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club is over 20,000 members strong. We are your friends and neighbors working to build healthy, livable communities, and to conserve and protect our climate and environment. The Virginia Chapter is part of the national Sierra Club, the nation's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. For more information, visit http://www.sierraclub.org/virginia