Environmental group gives 44 NC lawmakers "zero" grades

Environmentalists are still reeling from the General Assembly's decision to embark on a path that could one day lead to fracking in North Carolina.

As a result, the state League of Conservation Voters handed out an unprecedented 44 "zero" scores to state lawmakers in its annual conservation scorecard.

The group said in a release the previous legislative session was "without question one of the worst for the environment in history, characterized by reckless decisions with serious and long term implications for public health, our state's natural landscape and North Carolina's economy."

Since 1999, the group handed out only four "zero" scores, and none since 2001. But this year was different enough to warrant the harsh response in the group's view.

"Many of these decisions were made under the false rhetoric that 'regulations kill jobs,'" said Dan Crawford, director of governmental relations for NCLCV. "But voters understand that a strong economy and a clean environment are inseparable, and we’re confident that will show in the November elections."

The entire scorecard is available on the group's website.

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