Rep. Lipton Named Environmental Hero by Michigan Clean Water Action

LANSING - Late last month a leading Michigan environmental organization held a press conference to release their 2011-2012 midterm legislative scorecard. Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton (Huntington Woods) was named an “Environmental Hero” along with 12 other lawmakers.

The scorecard was based on the impact various pieces of legislation would have on our water and other natural resources. Priority policies included those that ensure clean beaches and safe drinking water by reducing pollution from sewer overflows and bills aimed at improving people’s health by reducing exposures to dangerous chemicals like toxic toys and flame retardants.

Unfortunately, the Michigan Legislature failed to advance any of the safeguards outlined in the organization’s 2011 Water Protection Agenda. The group urged the majority in the legislature to begin protecting Michigan’s water and other national resources in the new year. Sixty-seven lawmakers scored below 60 percent and a startling 58 received scores of zero.

“While I am pleased to have received this honor, it is disappointing to see how current legislative leadership is paving the way to exempt polluters and remove the laws and rules needed to protect Michigan’s greatest asset, its water,” Lipton stated. “Lawmakers dismantled these protections under the banner of ‘job creation,’ however, I believe we should focus on making Michigan the frontrunner of the ‘green” economy.’ The manufacturing of renewable energy components such as wind turbines, solar panels, and advanced batteries is a great way to protect our natural resources and encourage thousands of energy efficient jobs to be created in our state.”

Source: http://027.housedems.com