FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2010
Contact: Kate Geller, 202-454-4573 or kate_geller@lcv.org
Kurt Fritts, 206-910-8777 or kurt@wcvoters.org

Washington Conservation Voters Announces Washington Delegation Scores from LCV’s 2009 National Environmental Scorecard

Today (2/22), Washington Conservation Voters joined the national League of Conservations Voters in releasing the 2009 National Environmental Scorecard, revealing scores for the Washington state delegation in the first session of the 111th Congress. For 30 years, the National Environmental Scorecard issued by LCV has been the nationally accepted yardstick used to rate members of Congress on environmental, public health and energy issues.

“We applaud those members of the Washington state delegation who fought in 2009 to bring clean energy jobs to the state and reduce our national dependence on foreign oil,” said Kurt Fritts, Washington Conservation Voters Executive Director. “Overall, we should be proud of our state’s delegation. With all but two exceptions, they have stood tall on behalf of our environment.”

The 2009 Scorecard includes 11 Senate and 13 House votes that are dominated by clean energy and climate but also encompass other environmental issues such as public lands, water and wildlife conservation.

“The 2009 National Environmental Scorecard illustrates the extent to which the Obama administration and the 111th Congress began to move our nation towards a clean energy future that will create new jobs, make America more energy independent and curb global warming pollution,” said LCV President Gene Karpinski. “However, it also makes clear that there is still much work to be done, first and foremost to finish the work started in the House by swiftly passing a comprehensive clean energy and climate bill in the Senate.”

In Washington state, US Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell earned a perfect 100 percent score in 2009, as did House members Jay Inslee, Rick Larsen, Norm Dicks and Adam Smith. At the other end of the spectrum, House members Doc Hastings and Cathy McMorris Rodgers both scored 0 percent, failing to vote for the environment at each and every turn.

Standing out amongst the House votes in this Scorecard is the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which would help bring more than 33,000 clean energy jobs to Washington state.

“The effort in the House to pass landmark climate and energy legislation deserves huge praise,” said Fritts. “Congressman Jay Inslee was a real champion on this issue. Congressman Dave Reichert provided his support to help spur investment in clean energy jobs in our region. And they were joined by Congressmen Larsen, Baird, Dicks, McDermott and Smith, all of whom are to be commended for this key vote.”

Here are the individual 2009 scores for members of the Washington state delegation:
Senate Scores
Patty Murray 100
Maria Cantwell 100

House Scores
Jay Inslee 100
Rick Larsen 100
Brian Baird 86
Doc Hastings 0
Cathy McMorris Rodgers 0
Norm Dicks 100
Jim McDermott 93
Dave Reichert 64
Adam Smith 100

The full 2009 National Environmental Scorecard can be found at www.lcv.org/scorecard

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