CLCV Releases 2008 California Environmental Scorecard

Governor scores 60%; CLCV-endorsed candidates' major bills are successes

For 35 years, the California League of Conservation Voters has graded each lawmaker's environmental performance in the California Environmental Scorecard.

We've just published key parts of the 2008 Scorecard, including legislators' and the governor's environmental scores.

This year's Scorecard includes the story of CLCV's most significant legislative victory to date: the passage of the groundbreaking land use reform bill, SB 375 (Steinberg), which will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging cities to develop in ways that reduce people's reliance on driving.

2008 was a year dominated by budget negotiations -- and a record number of vetoes by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. His signature on SB 375 was a major victory for CLCV. But, Schwarzenegger's indefensible veto of Senator Alan Lowenthal's SB 974 -- which would have saved lives by reducing air pollution in communities near California's major ports -- was a bitter disappointment for CLCV and the environmental movement.

The governor received a 60% score, in line with his lifetime average of 57.8%.

A number of CLCV’s highest-priority environmental bills did make it through the process to be signed into law, including bills that establish a new "Green Chemistry" policy and fund local parks. For a complete analysis, see this year's "Year in Review".

Read the 2008 California Environmental Scorecard here.

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