Lesser Receives Perfect Rating from Environmental Group

The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) has awarded State Rep. Matt Lesser (D-Durham, Middlefield, & Middletown) a 100 percent rating for his support and advocacy of environmental initiatives in their 2011 Environmental Scorecard.

"I'm proud of my environmental record and the work we are doing to put Connecticut in the lead when it comes to creating new green jobs and reducing our reliance on foreign oil," said Lesser. "We showed this year that economic growth and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand."

During the 2011 legislative session, Lesser sponsored sweeping energy reform legislation to lower Connecticut’s electricity costs, while moving the state toward cleaner and more efficient energy. Lesser noted that the legislation takes a number of steps to grow jobs in new clean energy industries by supporting zero emission electric generation projects like solar, wind, hydro with renewable energy credits and establishing a residential solar photovoltaic program.

Lesser, serving his third year representing Durham, Middlefield, & Middletown in the General Assembly, has received a 100 percent rating each year from CTLCV

The annual environmental scorecard grades state lawmakers based on how they vote on significant environmental legislation. This year the scorecard grades legislators' votes on twelve bills that came up during the 2011 legislative session.

CTLCV Co-Chair David Bingham said of the legislators who received high scores, "despite the pressures of economic distress, they upheld policies that are critical to providing clean air and water and make Connecticut an inviting state to do business.”

Formed in 1998, the bipartisan CTLCV works on laws that affect Connecticut's air, water, wildlife, open space, transportation, energy choices, and health.