Senator Hochadel Receives a Perfect Grade on 2024 Environmental Scorecard

Senator Jan Hochadel, D-Meriden, received a perfect score of 100% from the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) this week based on her support of pro-environment legislation during the 2024 legislative session.

The CTLCV’s annual scorecard, released Tuesday, assigned Connecticut legislators numerical grades based on their support or opposition to proposals to reduce pollution, promote climate resilience, or preserve natural resources. This year’s scorecard evaluated votes on more than a dozen environmental bills to generate the overall score.

“The environmental decisions we’re making now will impact the future we leave for the next generation of Connecticut residents. That’s why I’m proud to receive this perfect score from the CTLCV,” Senator Hochadel said. “These votes reflect my belief that we can work together to protect Connecticut’s natural resources while forging more resilient communities and I’m committed to keeping our state on a healthy and sustainable path.”

Some new policies highlighted in this year’s scorecard included:

-SB 292, PFAS Ban: This law prohibits the use of toxic PFAS chemicals in a wide range of consumer products such as textiles, carpets, and children’s items.

-HB 5052, Supporting Solar Energy in Schools: This policy, adopted through state bonding, creates financing for solar energy and energy efficiency projects in public schools, reducing both energy costs and carbon emissions.

-HB 5219, Herbicides Along Railroads: This new law requires railroads to adhere to standards on the application of herbicides in railroad rights-of-way to protect water sources and wetlands.

-SB 301, Energy Efficiency Standards:  This policy, adopted through state bonding, updates Connecticut’s energy efficiency standards for consumer products and provides grants for retrofitting projects to reduce energy use and costs.

Senator Hochadel was one of 18 senators — all of them Democrats — to receive a perfect score in this year’s environmental report card. Democratic senators scored an average grade of 97% for their votes to protect Connecticut’s environment. Republican senators scored an average of 50%, according to the CTLCV.