California congressional delegation: split scorecard
California's U.S. senators, Democrats Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, got top grades from the League of Conservation Voters in the environmental group's annual congressional scorecard. Both earned 100, as did 14 of the state's House members, giving the California delegation more perfect scores than any other state.
But being the diverse place that California is, the delegation also racked up its share of zero scores -- 11, to be precise.
The ratings were based on 11 Senate and 13 House votes, most of which dealt with energy issues. Feinstein and Boxer consistently supported renewable energy and energy efficiency, according to the league, which has been rating Congress on environmental matters for 30 years.
The league gave a rating of A+ to Reps. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), Ellen O. Tauscher (D-Alamo), Pete Stark (D-Fremont), Anna G. Eshoo (D-Menlo Park), Michael M. Honda (D-San Jose), Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara), Howard L. Berman (D-Valley Village), Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), Henry A. Waxman (D-Beverly Hills), Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles), Jane Harman (D-Venice), Linda T. Sanchez (D-Lakewood) and Susan A. Davis (D-San Diego).
The "F" class included Reps. Wally Herger (R-Chico), Dan Lungren (R-Gold River), Devin Nunes (R-Tulare), Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield), Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley), David Dreier (R-San Dimas), Ed Royce (R-Fullerton), Gary G. Miller (R-Diamond Bar), Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach), John Campbell (R-Irvine) and Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine).
-- Bettina Boxall
Photos: Left: Rep. Elton Gallegly. Credit: Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times. Right: Rep. Jane Harman. Credit: Karin Cooper / Associated Press



Conservation is more than just the rage of searching for alternative energies; it also involves individual actions on behalf of the environment, and conscious, responsible decisions to do something to help conserve the most vital resource: water! Cyber-Rain is a new smart sprinkler controller system. Water districts throughout the state and the country are lauding sprinkler controllers like Cyber-Rain, which can save thousands of gallons of water per year, which means not only a big saving on your water bill, but a big saving of our water. Please learn more at www.cyber-rain.com and blog.cyber-rain.com - hope to see you there!
Posted by: Cyber-Rain | October 19, 2008 at 12:20 AM
The California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) is pleased to partner with LCV in releasing the national scorecard. While we're proud that California's delegation continues to lead the way for the nation, real progress on environmental policies depends on cooperation between the states and the federal government. CLCV is completing our analysis of statewide environmental progress and will soon release our annual scorecard for California. Together, the national and California Scorecards are essential tools for understanding how our elected officials succeed or fail at protecting our environment, and our citizens, from harm. Stay tuned for the CLCV Scorecard to find out how elected officials in the CA Senate and Assembly performed -- you'll find it on our Web site in a few weeks, at http://www.ecovote.org
Posted by: Jenesse Miller | October 20, 2008 at 01:35 PM
so if you are pro-environment, and pro-conservation, how come LCV have David Nahai, infamous resource waster, and proponent of killing the entire Joshua Tree region for power projects (rather than implementing feed in tariffs so local ratepayers can generate renewable power for profits) on your executive committee? he is so un-green, he makes Schwarzenegger look like an eco-terrorist. he gets an F on any responsible report card until he changes his tune from killing wilderness, wasting water and wasting power to conserving resources, saving our open spaces, and empowering families to participate in the green economy, starting with feed in tariffs at a multiple of retail. i now have to reconsider past support for, and trust in league of conservation voters, based on incredibly poor judgment in honoring david nahai, the joshua tree killer and water waster. the rest of you should do the same.
Posted by: sheila | October 21, 2008 at 11:08 AM