For Immediate Release:
Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024
Media Contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
434-989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org
Comprehensive report cites pro-polluter appointments and attacks on environmental safeguards, Virginia’s democracy
RICHMOND – Today, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters released its 2024 Gubernatorial Scorecard ranking Governor Youngkin based on his Administration’s actions on environmental and democracy issues.
Download the Full Scorecard Here
The Scorecard’s overall grade of “F” is based on Youngkin’s environmental agenda (D), executive actions (F), legislative actions (D-) and overall governance (F).
“Make no mistake about it: Glenn Youngkin is failing Virginia. He’s put polluters in charge, undermined our democracy, and taken away critical tools to protect Virginians from pollution. The end result is an environment that’s less clean and more communities left in harm’s way,” said Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. “The coming year’s elections will determine whether Virginia gets back on track securing a clean energy future or continues to backslide. We’ll be doing everything we can in 2025 to secure a Conservation Majority and get Virginia back on the path to progress.”
Highlights from the report include:
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Polluter appointments to the State Air Pollution Control Board and Environmental Justice Advisory Council;
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Joining the pro-fossil fuel “Governors’ Coalition for Energy Choice” and criticizing unprecedented federal investments in climate action and clean energy programs;
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The Administration’s back-door repeal of Virginia’s Advanced Clean Cars Standards;
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Sweeping voter roll purges weeks before an election, and the lowest rate of voting rights restorations from any Administration in the past decade;
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A record number of gubernatorial vetoes and a number of harmful amendments to legislation and the budget;
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A blatant tilt to the far-right echoing the Trump campaign’s anti-immigrant sentiments and false claims of voter fraud.
“Time after time, this Administration has put divisive politics ahead of what’s right for Virginia. This has translated into dirtier air, fewer tools to combat the climate crisis, and more of us in harm’s way,” said Virginia Senator Mamie Locke, a multi-time Virginia LCV Legislative Hero and Chair of the Senate Rules Committee. “With Donald Trump headed back to the White House, we need to be doing more – not less – to advance a healthy environment and a strong democracy. Virginia LCV’s Scorecard is a vital tool in holding this Administration accountable and showing what’s at stake in 2025, a critical election year in Virginia.”
“This Administration has consistently shown it cares more about getting soundbites on Fox News than finding common ground with us in the legislature. Virginia LCV’s Scorecard shows how Youngkin’s Corporate-CEO mindset is leading to missed opportunities to cut pollution, clean up our waterways, and safeguard our environment – all while undermining the laws passed by this General Assembly,” said Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources and a Career Legislative Hero. “While Youngkin works to elevate his own political profile, we will be working to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, create even more clean energy jobs, and preserve our natural resources.”
Virginia LCV published its first Gubernatorial Scorecard in 2022 alongside its General Assembly Scorecard, which has been published every year since the organization’s founding in 2000. Both Virginia LCV’s legislative and gubernatorial scorecards are the only comprehensive tools available for Virginians to gauge whether their elected officials are prioritizing a healthy environment and a strong democracy.
About us:
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters serves as the political voice of the state’s conservation community, working to make sure Virginia’s elected officials recognize that our natural heritage is an environmental and economic treasure for all. Virginia LCV works with conservation leaders across Virginia and strives for a conservation majority in state government. We secure good public policies on the state level and hold public officials accountable for their positions on environmental issues. For more information, visit www.valcv.org.
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