Christie Gets A "D" For Environmental Policy [AUDIO]

After more than two years in office, Governor Chris Christie received a pathetic report card from an environmental group that endorsed him in 2009.

The report card issued by the New Jersey Environmental Federation gave Christie an overall grade of a “D,” based on 39 issues in seven subjects of environmental policy. Christie received “poor” or “failing” marks on 28 of the 39 issues.

“His highest scores were on offshore energy issues,” explained NJEF State Director Amy Goldsmith.

A “very good” score was issued for his unchanging opposition to liquid natural gas plants off the Jersey shore. Also, “good” scores were given for opposition to oil drilling and support of wind power projects.

On clean water, Christie received poor grades for failure to fulfill his promise to better protect the state’s most important waterways, among other factors.

The Governor received an “F” on climate change. Goldsmith said he’s diverted $680 million away from clean energy programs that were meant for new green jobs in the construction industry.

“In addition, he has withdrawn us from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which would bring tens of millions of dollars into the state,” Goldsmith said.

The Federation said they chose to grade Christie because it’s time for him to “begin living up to his promises and get serious about protecting our water, air and health.”

Goldsmith continued, “He has to improve his grade, and we’re going to hold him accountable to that.”

The state Department of Environmental Protection argued the Governor’s bad marks.

“Governor Christie has a terrific environmental record for New Jersey,” said DEP Press Director Larry Ragonese. “If you want to go step by step through the issues that we’ve dealt with, I think you’ll find that their marks are not warranted.”

The report card’s grading for each subject and issue was based on (in priority order):