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A pretty bad environmental report card for Governor Snyder

Rick Snyder at press conference about the Flint water crisis
Gov. Rick Snyder
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Rick Snyder at press conference about the Flint water crisis

Governor Snyder got one really good grade, two really bad grades, and a handful of middling grades on his environmental report card from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters this year.

The non-partisan group has Republicans and Democrats on its board.

The report card gives Snyder some credit for taking steps to ameliorate the Flint water crisis, but says the government-caused debacle remains a shameful failing of leadership on his watch. Snyder got an "F" in the new-this-year category of Flint water crisis.

On the other hand, also on his watch, the state has new energy laws to increase efficiency and renewable energy. That's the lone "A" he received on the report card.

But the governor also got a "D+" grade on air quality for opposing stricter smog rules, a C- for his administration's approval of new mining permits in the U.P. and a C for protecting the Great Lakes and Michigan water -- in particular, for failing to improve state regulation of septic tank and other leaks of sewage into Michigan waters.

The Snyder administration's response to the report card: "The governor is working to improve the quality of life for all Michiganders, and will continue to do so."

Copyright 2017 Michigan Radio

Tracy Samilton covers the auto beat for Michigan Radio. She has worked for the station for 12 years, and started out as an intern before becoming a part-time and, later, a full-time reporter. Tracy's reports on the auto industry can frequently be heard on Morning Edition and All Things Considered, as well as on Michigan Radio. She considers her coverage of the landmark lawsuit against the University of Michigan for its use of affirmative action a highlight of her reporting career.