Sen. Chris Johnson, D-Lincoln, received a perfect score for his votes to protect Maine’s environment, support clean energy and defend state conservation programs, according to a legislative scorecard compiled by Maine Conservation Voters.

“It means a great deal to me to be recognized by Maine Conservation Voters, not only as a legislator but as a parent and grandparent,” said Sen. Johnson. “Future generations are going to look back to see if we met these environmental challenges head on, or if we passed the buck.”

Sen. Johnson received a 100 percent score for key votes taken during the 2016 legislative session. Those include votes to defend Land for Maine’s Future against Gov. Paul LePage, whose attacks against the program threatened conservation projects around the state. Sen. Johnson also voted to support new jobs and expand the state’s renewable energy portfolio by growing Maine’s solar power industry, and voted to defeat a bill that would threaten clean water.

In addition, Sen. Johnson voted against a bill that sought to limit the federal government’s ability to conserve land deemed to have high environmental, cultural or scientific value.

“Good stewardship protects our environment while increasing economic prosperity,” said Sen. Johnson. “Our economy and our environment both depend on reducing the $6 billion Maine people send out of state on fossil fuel-based energy for electricity, transportation, and heat. We must increase our energy efficiency while producing more of the energy we use from our own abundant offshore wind and sunshine. I look forward to continuing this fight for Maine's economy, jobs, and environment in the next legislature.”