Vermont Conservation Voters has recognized state Sen. Anne Watson (D/P-Washington) and state Rep. Mike Rice (D-Dorset) with 2024 Environmental Rising Star Awards for their strong support of the organization's priority issues last year.
Specifically, Watson, vice chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, was cited for sponsoring the state's Affordable Heat Act as well as legislation to: prohibit PFAS and other “forever” chemicals from cosmetics, menstrual products, textiles and turf; advance ranked choice voting; and divest state pensions from the fossil fuel industry.
“Sen. Watson has the proven ability to put forward creative ideas, then roll up her sleeves to develop the policy details and work to bring stakeholders and colleagues along with her,” said VCV Executive Director Lauren Hierl.
Rice, who sits on the House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency and Forestry and serves on the leadership team of the Climate Solutions Caucus, was recognized for sponsoring the Community Resilience and Biodiversity Protection Act as well as a bill that would ban the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.
“Rep. Rice rose as an instrumental player in our effort to pass critical climate policies,” said VCV Political Director Justin Marsh. “His commitment to protecting our farmland, forests and biodiversity and strengthening Vermont’s value to the world is certainly worth celebrating.”