Sen. Carney earns perfect score for voting record on environment and natural resources
AUGUSTA – Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth, earned a perfect score from the Maine Conservation Voters for her votes this session to preserve Maine’s natural resources, promote energy independence and protect the public from harmful chemicals. Sen. Carney was one of 17 state senators to earn a perfect score on the 2021 Environmental Scorecard released earlier this week, which tracks how lawmakers voted on seven key proposals debated by the Maine Legislature this past year.
“My community’s priorities are clear: clean up pollution and reduce waste, promote environmental justice and protect the environment. I keep these priorities in the forefront of my work in Augusta,” said Sen. Carney. “I’m very proud to have earned this perfect score from Maine Conservation Voters. It’s a motivator and reminder that we have much work ahead to preserve and protect our planet for generations to come.”
Sen. Carney has a long history of supporting initiatives to promote, protect and preserve Maine’s environment, supporting the health and well-being of Maine people and the economy. This year, Sen. Carney supported a landmark investment in the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program, led by Sen. Cathy Breen, D-Falmouth, Senate Chair of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee. LMF is a popular program that has successfully leveraged public-private partnerships to preserve and protect Maine’s natural resources and public lands for tourists and Mainers alike to enjoy.
Sen. Carney also supported legislation to ban aerial herbicide spraying. Currently, large Maine forest landowners spray hazardous chemicals from the air. Glyphosate, the most used herbicide in forest management, has been linked to serious environmental harm and health impacts, including chromosomal damage, harm to fetal development, reduced liver and kidney function and endocrine disruption. Although both chambers of the Legislature approved the bill, Gov. Janet Mills vetoed it.
Additionally, Sen. Carney supported legislation to require Maine’s Public Employee Retirement System (MainePERS) to divest itself of fossil fuel company assets that are among the 200 publicly traded companies with the largest fossil fuel reserves in the world; are among the 30 largest publicly traded companies owners in the world of coal-fired power plants; have the construction or operation of fossil fuel infrastructure as their core business; have the exploration, extraction, refining, processing, or distribution of fossil fuels as their core business; or receive more than 50% of gross revenue from companies that meet the definition under the above-listed categories. Gov. Mills signed the bill into law on June 16, 2021.
MCV is a nonprofit organization committed to protecting Maine’s environment and democracy. MCV’s Scorecard can be viewed online at www.maineconservation.org/scores.
###