BOSTON – Senator Brian A. Joyce has once again been recognized by Mass Audubon in their annual Legislative Report Card for a perfect voting record on conservation issues in the prior legislative session.

“A lot of the legislation in the past year tied the issues of conservation and energy diversification to job creation and I was happy to support and advocate on behalf of those issues,” said Joyce. “I am delighted that the Audubon Society recognizes my commitment to preserving the environment and our Commonwealth’s natural resources for generations to come.”

In the last session, Mass Audubon primarily focused on four items. One restored operating funds to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Another updated the Community Preservation Act (CPA) to include matching funds for cities and towns and expanded allowable uses for CPA funds to better preserve open space and encourage outdoor recreation. Senate Bill 2074 encouraged the development of renewable energy sites on closed landfills and a final bill increased opportunities for renewable and efficient energy projects through better competition contracts.

“This report card demonstrates that Massachusetts lawmakers are committed to protecting the nature of the Commonwealth,” said Karen Heymann, Mass Audubon’s legislative director. “Mass Audubon looks forward to continuing to work with the Legislature to implement strong environmental policy through land conservation, renewable energy programs, and endangered species protection.”
Since 1985, Mass Audubon has compiled the environmental voting records of the Massachusetts Legislature to inform citizens of their state legislators’ performance. The Legislative Report Card is a compilation of the roll call votes by state legislators on environmental bills or budget items.