TRENTON — Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo (R-2nd), who was recognized in May by a Washington group for his stance on environmental issues, received kudos again earlier this month from a state-based organization.

Environment New Jersey – a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization – ranked LoBiondo at the top of its list of environmentally-friendly lawmakers in the 109th Congress.

On Aug. 15, the group announced its Congressional Scorecard, which ranked the 13 congressmen from New Jersey on their votes on major environmental issues including: protecting the purity of air and water; reducing global warming pollution; promoting alternative energy use; and increasing mileage standards for vehicles.

LoBiondo was one of seven congressmen who scored 100 percent, siding with the environment in 15 key votes. The others with perfect marks were: Jim Saxton (R-3rd), Chris Smith (R-4th), Frank Pallone (D-6th), Bill Pascrell (D-8th), Steve Rothman (D-9th) and Rush Holt (D-12).

The lowest score, 15 percent, came from Scott Garrett (R-5th).

“Environment New Jersey is releasing its annual scorecard as part of its national campaign to pass legislation through both houses of Congress requiring at least 15% of our electricity to come from clean, renewable energy sources by 2020,” group officials announced.

On May 14, Republicans for Environmental Protection released a similar scorecard.

LoBiondo also received a score of 100 percent in that survey, but was topped by Saxon who scored 104 percent for significant non-voting leadership actions he took during the year. The group named Saxon “Greenest Republican in Congress.”

Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com