Sen. Johnson receives perfect score on environmental record

Environmental conservation group praises lawmaker for commitment to natural resources
Fri, 09/20/2013 - 2:00pm

Sen. Chris Johnson (D-Somerville) has received a 100 percent rating from the Maine Conservation Voters for his support of environmental issues during the 126th Legislature.

“I am very proud of my voting record of strong environmental stewardship,” Johnson said. “We live in an area of great beauty and unique natural resources, and it is important that we preserve it for future generations.  It is good for our health and essential for local businesses, including tourism, fishing, clamming, lobstering, and aquaculture.”

Johnson is one of 18 Democratic and un-enrolled senators to receive a perfect score, or a 6 of 7 score, from the Maine Conservation Voters.

The MCV is dedicated to supporting policies and laws to protect our natural resources and the Maine brand: our air, land, water and wildlife. For the past 25 years, MCV has released an annual legislative scorecard to evaluate lawmakers’ commitment to protecting the environment.

 Johnson has a 100 percent lifetime score as well.

During the 2013 legislative session, Johnson supported bills to open the St. Croix River to alewives, improve the process for wind power development, label genetically modified (GMO) foods, study the impact of climate change in Maine, expand the Kids Safe Product Act, strengthen water quality protections for open-pit mining, and establish a program for paint recycling.

In the report accompanying the scorecard, Johnson was also praised for his work  to improve Maine’s new mining law and his championing of the bill to require the labeling of genetically modified foods.

The Legislature will reconvene in January 2014.