East Haven Lawmaker James Albis Named 2015 Champion by Connecticut League of Conservation Voters

State Representative James Albis (D-East Haven) was recognized by the state’s leading environmental watchdog group, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV), for being a 2015 Legislative Champion. This is the third year in a row that Rep. Albis has been named a Legislative Champion by the group.

“I want to thank the CTLCV for naming me a 2015 Legislative Champion. Advocating on behalf of environmental issues is truly a labor of love and it is an honor to have my efforts recognized,” said Rep. Albis in a prepared statement released by his office.

The rest of the statement reads:

“As Chair of the Environment Committee and as a representative of the Town of East Haven, I worked hard this session to protect and conserve our environment, particularly in terms of protecting our children and protecting Long Island Sound. We had some big wins for the environment this year and I look forward to continuing this important work next year,” he added.

Rep. Albis spearheaded the passage of a bill that would ensure that Connecticut has a coordinated strategy for future use of Long Island Sound by establishing a Blue Plan. The law requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and relevant stakeholders to study and compile an inventory of the Sound’s natural and human resources.

“Although I am very proud of many of the measures the Environment Committee worked on this year, passing a Blue Plan for Long Island Sound is one of my proudest accomplishments. The local economies of many coastal communities in Connecticut, including East Haven, rely on Long Island Sound so it is critically important that we keep this economic resource healthy for years to come,” Rep. Albis said.

In addition, Rep. Albis was integral in the passage of a bill that prohibited the sale and manufacturing of any personal care product that contains microbeads - small plastic components which can enter waterways like Long Island Sound and can be eaten by fish. The bill passed as part of the legislature’s budget adjustments.

Rep. Albis also worked this session to protect children, who are the most vulnerable in our population, from harmful pesticides as there is increasing concern that pesticide exposure is linked to childhood cancers. A recent New York Times article details a scientific study which found that outdoor pesticides used as weed killers were associated with a 26 percent increased risk for brain tumors.

Rep. Albis championed passage of a measure which bans pesticide use on municipal playgrounds. The legislation also requires public notification at least 24 hours prior to the emergency application of pesticides on school grounds or municipal playgrounds and requires states agencies to prepare pesticide management plans.

“James Albis is an amazing advocate for the environment at the state legislature,” said Lori Brown, CTLCV Executive Director. “He has lived up to everything we can hope for as a champion—working effectively with all parties to keep important legislation moving, and getting solid results that protect our land, air, water and public health in Connecticut. We are thrilled to name Representative Albis a 2015 Legislative Champion for the environment.”

The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters works to pass pro-environment laws, elect pro-environment candidates, and hold all elected officials accountable. CTLCV Scorecards dating back to 2000 can be found online at www.ctlcv.org.

State Representative James Albis is serving his third term representing the 99th district of East Haven. He serves as Chair of the Environment Committee and as a member of both the Finance and Executive and Legislative Nomination Committees.