CLCV Releases 2006 California Environmental Scorecard

Legislature Delivers Top Environmental Bills to Governor – Schwarzenegger’s Score 50%

Sacramento — The California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) released its annual California Environmental Scorecard today, capping one of the most memorable environmental sessions in recent memory. Unlike last year, many of the highest priority bills for the environmental community passed through the Legislature, leaving Governor Schwarzenegger as the final obstacle for passage into law.

The Governor’s score in 2006 of 50% is slightly worse than the previous two years’ 58% and reflects his established pattern of having a mixed record on environmental issues. Although Schwarzenegger is the most powerful Republican in the State, it has not translated into meaningful influence on Republicans in the legislature. This year’s session confirmed the continuation of a trend established in the mid 1990’s—paralysis by the Republican members of the Assembly and Senate on environmental issues with 2006 scores at an abysmal 6% average.

The big win in 2006 for the environment and all Californians was the passing and signing into law of California’s landmark global warming bill, AB 32 (Núñez/Pavley). In sharp contrast, several crucial environmental bills addressing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions met their end at the Governor’s desk. Among them:

SB 927 (Lowenthal) would have implemented programs to reduce air pollution from the state’s worst polluters—the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach
AB 1012 (Nation) would have required that 50% of vehicles sold in California by 2020 be capable of running on alternative fuels
SB 757 (Kehoe) would have established a state policy to reduce our dependence on petroleum

“It’s disappointing that Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed important bills that would have given the state better tools to reduce our very significant contribution to global warming,” said Susan Smartt, Executive Director of CLCV. “Although the Governor should be applauded for signing AB 32, he is campaigning across the state as an environmental champion and the facts tell a different story. He remains decidedly mediocre.”

For more highlights of the California Environmental Scorecard, see the Snapshot of the Numbers.

The 2006 California Environmental Scorecard, an annual guide that rates elected officials on the environment in order to help voters decide how to vote, scores environmental votes on key state measures that preserve, protect, restore and enhance the health of California’s environment. The 2006 California Environmental Scorecard can be found at http://www.ecovote.org/scorecards/2006/.

CLCV Releases 2006 California Environmental Scorecard

Legislature Delivers Top Environmental Bills to Governor – Schwarzenegger’s Score 50%

2006 Scorecard: