League of Conservation Voters San Diego Releases 2012 Environmental Quality Report Card

Report Card grades San Diego Councilmembers and Mayor on environmental record in 2012

San Diego -- League of Conservation Voters San Diego today released the 2012 Environmental Quality Report Card for City of San Diego. The Report Card identifies 17 priority votes from 2012 and grades each member of the San Diego City Council and now-former Mayor Jerry Sanders on their record on environmental issues.

Grades for the nine elected officials ranged from an 88% ‘B’ for Councilmember David Alvarez to 59% failing ‘F’ grades for former Councilmember Carl DeMaio and former Mayor Jerry Sanders.

“The good news is, the entire council showed improved scores after an abysmal 2011 report card,” said Livia Borak, President of League of Conservation Voters San Diego. “The key now will be building on improved communications to keep our elected leadership informed and engaged on environmental priorities as we move forward.”

The entire Council improved its ranking by voting unanimously on numerous positive environmental issues, including the Water Policy Implementation Task Force, approving the purchase of emergency generators for sewage pump stations, accepting the Recycled Water Study, blocking the Quail Brush energy project, approving the California Property Assessed Clean Energy financing program, and dedicating park and recreation lands.

“It’s encouraging to see stronger voting records from the council, but we still have plenty of room for more leadership on environmental justice and climate change,” said Nicole Capretz, Associate Director, Green Energy/Green Jobs Campaign for the Environmental Health Coalition. “The next step is to make sure these issues are central to long-term planning in San Diego.”

The 2012 EQRC includes a breakdown of the votes and explanations of priority issues from the past year. It also outlines ways that members of the city council can improve their grades going forward.

“In 2013, we’ll be looking to the council to address a number of issues that will impact our region for years to come,” said Jill Witkowski, Waterkeeper at San Diego Coastkeeper. “From storm water regulations that could finally make the water safe after it rains to climate change standards that seriously address the threats to our region, now is the time to commit to smart, lasting policies to keep San Diego on the right track.”

The entire report card can be downloaded at the League of Conservation Voters San Diego website at http://lcvsd.org/

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LCVSD is a chapter of the California League of Conservation Voters, which seeks to protect the environmental quality of the state by working to elect environmentally responsible candidates and hold them accountable to the conservation agenda. By being an "on the ground" voice in the San Diego community, LCVSD provides an opportunity for environmental activists to directly impact the local electoral process while promoting environmental candidates.