Sen. Millett earns high marks for voting record on environment
Maine Conservation Voters’ Annual Environmental Scorecard Highlights Champions for Maine’s Environment
Sen. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, earned a perfect score from the Maine Conservation Voters for her votes to preserve Maine’s rich natural resources, invest in clean, renewable energy and protect the public from harmful chemicals. This 2020 Environmental Scorecard, released last week, highlighted Sen. Millett for receiving a score of 100 percent in the 129th legislative session.
“We’re already seeing the effects of the climate crisis right here in Maine, including warming sea waters pushing sharks further north to our beaches,” said Sen. Millett. “I’m dedicated to taking every action available to us to protect our environment and keep Mainers healthy, and I’m glad my voting record reflects that priority.”
Sen. Millett has a long history of supporting initiatives to promote, protect and preserve Maine’s environment. In 2019 and 2020, Sen. Millett wrote two new laws to protect area residents from harmful emissions at sites such as the petroleum storage facility on the Fore River in South Portland. The first, LD 1706, requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to notify an affected municipality when the department issues a notice of violation or receives notice of violation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The second, LD 1915, directs the Department of Environmental Protection to study the emissions from above ground petroleum storage tanks.
The Environmental Scorecard, released last week, tracks how each member of the Maine Legislature votes on key environmental issues in an effort to hold elected officials accountable. Sen. Millett, who has a lifetime pro-environmental voting record of 96 percent, is a proven champion for Maine’s environment.
“The unprecedented circumstances of 2020 have forced us all to reconsider many aspects of our lives and our society. Throughout it all, MCV is grateful for the leadership of lawmakers who are voting to accelerate Maine’s transition to a clean energy economy and deliver the environmental and public health results that communities across our state want and deserve,” said Beth Ahearn, Director of Government Affairs at MCV.
The Maine Conservation Voters scored six key initiatives debated by the legislature this year, including the Land for Maine’s Future Bond, which was the only initiative proposal that didn’t pass. All 21 Senate Democrats received perfect scores for their environmental record. MCV’s Scorecard can be viewed online at www.maineconservation.org/scores.
