Senator Chris Dodd (D)

The LCV Scorecard provides objective, factual information about the most important environmental legislation considered and the corresponding voting records of all members of Congress. It represents a consensus of experts from more than 20 respected environmental and conservation organizations who selected the key votes on which members should be graded. Scores are calculated on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the number of pro-environment votes cast out of the total number measured. Absences are counted as a negative vote. To view the 2006 scorecard, please click here.

The last six years of Chris Dodd’s LCV scores are above, followed by his lifetime LCV score. The lifetime LCV score represents the career average for all years served in office. For more about the Environmental Voting Record click here.

Environmental Overview

What accomplishments or experiences would you cite as influences on your approach to environmental or conservation issues? These may be professional or personal.

"The birth of my two daughters has affected my outlook on many issues that will directly impact their future, and the future of their children. In the past, we may have been concerned with preserving our physical environment so that the trees and wildlife we enjoy would be around for their great-grandchildren to enjoy. The environmental crisis has advanced to the point that, today, we need to worry about whether our children will have enough clean water to drink, whether they will live in a world with skyrocketing asthma rates, and whether our costal communities will be submerged in water. I am committed to ensuring every child can grow up in a safe and clean environment, one that they will be able to maintain for future generations."

Global Warming & Energy priorities for first 100 days

As you know, a common rubric for measuring the results of a new presidential administration is to evaluate priorities for its first 100 days in office. The League of Conservation Voters believes that the one issue area voters will be most focused on, when it comes to the environment, is energy and global warming. If you are sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, what will be your priorities in the energy and global warming arena for your first 100 days in office, and why? These may be achievable by executive action, legislative action, international action, or appointments.

"One of my top priorities as President will be to reduce 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To that end, within my first 100 days in office I will send Congress a comprehensive energy package that will highlight the Corporate Carbon Tax. I believe that the Corporate Carbon Tax will discourage big corporate polluters and stimulate innovation. Revenues from the Corporate Carbon Tax—estimated at $50 billion annually—will fast track research, development and deployment of renewable technologies such as wind, solar, as well as ethanol and other biofuels, and expedite the process for bringing energy efficient technologies to market.

In my first 100 days in office I will also immediately begin the transition towards equipping new and existing federal buildings with the latest energy efficiency technologies. By the end of those 100 days, steps will be taken to ensure that every federal building will be built or retrofitted with the greenest technologies, from light-bulbs to power generation, and every vehicle will run on E85, biodiesel or other sources of clean energy."

Please respond to the previous question but focus on environmental issues outside of the energy and global warming arena.

"Developing a comprehensive energy policy such as I described above, and coupling it with an ethic of environmental stewardship is a top priority. Protecting and preserving our oceans, lakes, rivers and air from harmful pollutants; preserving wildlife habitat, public lands and wilderness; and preserving our environment for future generations is critical. I would do this with a combination of legislative initiatives and executive actions which would include permanently protecting ANWR; preserving our nation’s forests and roadless areas; protecting our coasts and beaches from threats like offshore oil and gas leasing; promoting habitat preservation and strengthening endangered species protections. Providing critical ongoing funding in all these areas, many of which have been woefully underfunded by the Bush administration, is another important component of these environmental stewardship efforts. Finally, generating international support for global environmental restoration efforts would be a critical part of my plan."

Priority compared to other issues for first 100 days

Many candidates for office, not just for president, intend or promise to do great things on many issues. How would you say environmental or conservation issues would rank as a priority for you in your first 100 days when compared to other issues? Why? Do you intend to personally attend to these issues?

"I believe that environmental issues represent one of the single greatest priorities for this nation. I do not believe we have one minute to spare with regard to changing our policies in this area. The consequences of ignoring global climate change are catastrophic, and they will not continue unchecked on my watch. Reversing the effects of global climate change is an environmental, national security, and economic issue that I will personally make a priority of my administration from day one."