Environmental Scores and Attitudes

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

Among the groups keeping "score" on the actions of the General Assembly is the Virginia League of Conservation Voters.  From among the thousands of votes cast by members of the House of Delegates and the State Senate the League chooses those votes of most importance to the environmental and conservation groups that make up their organization.  For many issues the League takes an opposing view that the consequences of legislation might be harmful to the environment.  Other bills enjoy the support of League members if they might result in keeping the air and water of the Commonwealth clean or leading to it being cleaned up.  All these votes are tallied into a scorecard that is issued annually.  The most recent 2011 scorecard can be found at www.valcv.org.

I am pleased to have scored a perfect 100 percent on the League of Conservation Voters Scorecard for 2011 making me one of their champions as I have been for at least the past half-dozen years.  I am pleased that my score correctly reflects my feelings that in Virginia we need to do a better job of protecting the environment.  Although my score reflects the League's priorities, they do not necessarily reflect the outcome of bills.  In fact, in the House the average score of legislators was 61 percent and in the Senate 74 percent.

Just as there is a clear split in the legislature on environmental issues there is a division in public opinion on these issues.  In its 2011 Virginia Environmental Attitudes Survey, the Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University (http://cpp.cnu.edu) found that slightly less than half (48.4%) of Virginians think that climate change is a real problem while 29.8 percent do not consider it a real problem.  Virginians surveyed rate the state's natural environment an average grade of 2.5 on a scale of 1 to 5 or about a C-minus grade.  Slightly over half (51.8%) consider that the state's environment will be about the same in ten years; 27.3% think it will get worse.

Six of ten Virginians consider environmental protection as generally good for the economy while only two in ten view it as generally bad for the economy.  Nearly eight in ten Virginians are willing to pay more to support companies with environmentally conscious policies and practices.  Slightly over half of those surveyed indicated that they would pay more for these companies' products.  The survey reported that Virginians "when pressed they favor environmental protection over economic growth and development."

When my voting record on environmental issues is compared with public opinion, I believe my votes correctly reflect my constituents' interests that the environment be protected as our economy grows.  They also reflect the fact that we can protect our environment and have a healthy economy.

The Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic will offer free school physicals by appointment and walk-ins as available Monday and Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or Wednesday and Thursday, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.  On Saturday, August 13, the clinic will sponsor a special event providing 100 school and sport physicals for children from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  To schedule an appointment, call 703.481.8160 or register online at www.jsfreeclinic.org.  The August 13 event is sponsored by Care First, Northrop Grumman, and CVS.

The Fairfax County Public Library and the For Love of Country Foundation present the "For Love of Country:  In My Own Words" poetry and essay contest.  Students in grades seven through nine may submit an essay or poem regarding the topic of public libraries and their ability to enhance community life.  Interested students may write an essay or poem on "Public Libraries:  Why they make my life better."  Original work may be submitted at any library branch or online at at libraryevents@fairfaxcounty.gov; entry period closes on August 22 at 5:00 p.m.  Winners will be notified by October 1 and honored at an October Teen Read Week ceremony.  Cash prizes will be awarded in each category.  For complete rules and entry form, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library. 

Reston Association is seeking applicants to fill vacancies on its Fiscal Committee and Elections Committee.  Members interested in being considered for a two-year term on the Fiscal Committee must be "financially literate" with a minimum of either:  a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business administration; three years of financial, business, or accounting experience.  Individuals seeking appointment to the Elections Committee need only be members of the association.  Find out more about these or other Reston Association committees by logging on at www.reston.org.  If you are interested in serving on either committee, forward a brief statement of interest and pertinent qualifications by July 1, 2011 to cate@reston.org, fax to 703.435.6516, or mail to Resotn Association, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, 20194, ATTN:  Board Committee Application.