Maryland's Low Ratings Result of Pro-Environmental Legislature
Maine League of Conservation Voters release Gubernatorial Report Card on the Environment
Maine League of Conservation Voters release Gubernatorial Report Card on the Environment
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Conservationists release Gubernatorial Report Card on the Environment;
Baldacci Receives Overall Grade of B-
PORTLAND, Maine – The Maine League of Conservation Voters (MLCV) today released its Gubernatorial Report Card on the Environment. Governor Baldacci received an overall grade of B- for his Administration’s accomplishments over the last two years on issues ranging from energy policy to land conservation to toxic chemicals.
“Maine’s environment is the foundation of our health, our economy and our future,” said MLCV Board President Caroline Pryor. “Maine’s governor plays a pivotal role in determining whether and how our natural resources are protected. The Gubernatorial Report Card is a way for the public to track the Governor’s progress.”
This Gubernatorial Report Card on the Environment is the second such biennial publication produced by MLCV. Independent and non-partisan, MLCV has for over 20 years also published Maine’s Environmental Scorecard, tracking the voting records of legislators on key issues.
“From our current energy crisis to ensuring clean water, Maine people need the Governor to lead and to find solutions,” said Maureen Drouin, MLCV Executive Director. “He has done that in some areas, but not all. While Governor Baldacci has worked hard to promote clean air, reduce our exposure to toxic chemicals, and address the challenge of climate change, there is room for more leadership by the Governor in the conservation of Maine’s wilderness heritage, protection of wildlife habitat and building a transportation infrastructure that is less dependent on fossil fuels.”
In developing the Gubernatorial Report Card on the Environment, MLCV received input from a broad range of individuals and organizations representing Maine’s environmental leadership as well as members of the Baldacci administration. It takes into account a range of actions, including: degree of leadership, expenditure of human and financial resources, expenditure of political capital, and reaching a successful conclusion.
Individual grades ranged from a high of A for Air Quality & Climate Change and Toxics, to a low of C- for Marine Resources and Wilderness:
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Subject |
Grade |
Comment |
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Air Quality & Climate Change |
A |
Continued action on climate change issues; needs to address transportation emissions |
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Energy |
A– |
Consistent progress, but could do more; focus on energy efficiency in Maine’s homes |
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Forestry |
C+ |
Relatively minor achievements; needs to encourage private and public investment in the forest as forest, not as financial commodity |
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Inland Fisheries & Wildlife |
B– |
Not the priority it should be considering its importance to Maine; DIFW must give more attention to non-game as well as game species |
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Land Conservation |
C+ |
LMF funding inadequate; support meals & lodging and real estate transfer taxes to fund public land acquisition |
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Marine Resources |
C– |
Another important resource given short shrift; restore alewives to St. Croix |
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Smart Growth |
C+ |
Has been tentative in taking advantage of Brookings Report; must implement the recommendations of his Council on Quality of Place |
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Toxics |
A |
Major achievements of national importance; next step is to prioritize chemicals to address under Maine’s national precedent-setting law |
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Transportation |
C |
Not enough action to support the talk; Maine must deal with pollution from cars |
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Water Quality |
B– |
Significant improvement (up from D); more needed on the Androscoggin, new opportunities at Long Creek |
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Wilderness |
C– |
Minor progress and major back-sliding on the Allagash; must revive the River Driver’s Agreement and designate more wilderness on public lands |
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Administration & Appointments |
C+ |
Good intentions but consistency and commitment lacking; needs to exert greater leadership over Maine’s natural resource policies as a whole |
Overall Grade |
B– |
All Maine’s natural resources merit the leadership the Governor showed on Toxics |
“The next two years provide Governor Baldacci with an important opportunity to ensure Maine’s entire environment is conserved for future generations,” said Pryor. “We hope this report card will help inspire the Governor and his Administration to work more comprehensively to protect Maine’s outstanding natural resources. His environmental accomplishments will be a key part of the legacy he leaves the State of Maine and her citizens.”
The full Gubernatorial Report Card on the Environment can be read at MLCV’s website: www.mlcv.org. The Maine League of Conservation Voters is dedicated to making Maine’s environment a priority for voters, candidates and elected officials.
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