The five Scorecard Bills passed by both houses were signed into law by Governor Hochul.
15 New York State Senators and 29 Assemblymembers received a perfect score.
Average score for State Senators was highest in Westchester (96%) and New York City (90%), followed by the Hudson Valley (86%).
Average score for Assemblymembers was highest in New York City – Manhattan (92%), followed by Westchester County (84% )
The New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) has released its 2025 New York State Environmental Scorecard, an annual evaluation of State Legislators based on their support – or lack of support – for environmental legislation. Voters have come to rely on the scorecard as an easy-to-understand ledger on state environmental policies and an effective tool for evaluating and holding their elected officials accountable.
“With a federal administration hostile to clean energy and determined to roll back decades of environmental protections, what we do in New York matters more than ever,” said NYLCV President Julie Tighe. “The victories we achieved in 2025 were made possible by lawmakers who stepped up and led with common sense and conviction, and nowhere was that more true than with the repeal of the 100-foot rule, which is why we are proud to name Senator Liz Krueger and Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon our 2025 Environmental Champions. Their — tireless efforts moved this long-overdue reform through the Legislature and to Governor Hochul’s desk, where it became law, delivering a major win for ratepayers and accelerating New York’s clean energy transition.”
The scorecard can be viewed here.
Highlights from this year’s scorecard include the following environmental scores for legislators:
- The five Scorecard Bills passed by both houses were signed into law by Governor Hochul.
- 15 State Senators and 29 Assemblymembers earned a perfect score of 100%;
- An additional 21 State Senators and 16 Assemblymembers received an 80% or higher score;
- The average score for State Senators was highest in Westchester (96%) and New York City (90%);
- The average score for Assemblymembers was highest in New York City – Manhattan (92%) and lowest in the North Country (19%); and
- The Assemblymember scores in New York City’s five boroughs had a wide range: Manhattan, 92%; Queens, 74%; Bronx, 72%; Brooklyn, 63%; and Staten Island, 26%.
This year’s scorecard examined 13 bills in the State Senate and 12 in the Assembly from the 2025 legislative session that were NYLCV priorities and of significant importance to the clean energy transition, public health, and conservation efforts in New York State.
The State Senate and Assembly delivered important wins that have since been signed into law by Governor Hochul. They repealed the outdated 100-foot rule – a key step in the transition away from fossil fuels that will save ratepayers $600 million annually – and updated how renewable energy systems are appraised. They also delivered critical safety and public health measures to make e-bike and e-scooter batteries safer, enhance the Septic System Replacement Program, and enact a long-overdue ban on PFAS in menstrual products.
There were also missed opportunities. The Senate once again passed a Clean Fuel Standard and the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, as well as the Find Lead Pipes Faster Act, and the Road Salt Task Force bill, but these measures never came to a floor vote in the Assembly. And both chambers missed a huge chance to boost solar energy production by failing to advance Automatic Solar Permitting. These measures must be revisited in the 2026 Legislative Session.
Although the State Budget is not scored, it included significant victories, including a historic $1 billion for climate mitigation projects, including $200 million for thermal energy networks at SUNY campuses and in communities across the state. Lawmakers reauthorized the State Superfund, increased funding for the EPF to a record $425 million, amended the mansion tax to exempt land acquired for open space preservation, and funded a record $68 billion MTA Capital Plan. The continued allocation of $500 million for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act was a win, but still $100 million short of what’s needed to protect our water systems.
Special Recognition
Environmental Champions:
Senator Liz Krueger
Senator Liz Krueger has been a tireless advocate for the environment since first being elected to office more than two decades ago. She has led efforts to promote conservation, tackle single-use plastics, and advance the clean energy transition. This year, on her way to a 100% score, she co-sponsored the 100-foot rule repeal, helping rally her colleagues to pass that critical measure and earning her the title 2025 Environmental Champion.
Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon
Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon has a long track record of combating climate change and promoting sustainability. Her perfect 100% score reflects her commitment to a broad range of NYLCV priorities, and her leadership was especially felt as a co-sponsor of the 100-foot rule repeal. Her reputation as a trusted and principled legislator was instrumental in securing support for that measure and we’re proud to name her a 2025 Environmental Champion.
Rising Stars:
Senator Nathalia Fernandez
Senator Nathalia Fernandez has earned a perfect score the past five years – first as an Assemblymember and then as a State Senator – including in 2025, and as a member of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus, she has championed policies that protect public health and advance equity. With her focus on environmental justice and unwavering dedication to a cleaner, safer future, Senator Fernandez is a 2025 Rising Star to watch.
Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky
Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky has emerged as one of Albany’s most engaged and forward-looking environmental lawmakers, earning a perfect score every year since taking office in 2023. She brings both passion and policy depth to the fight for clean energy, resilient infrastructure, zero waste, and safe drinking water, and her focus on practical, community-based solutions has made her a standout voice in the Assembly and a 2025 Rising Star.
The following legislators received perfect scores:
STATE SENATE
Samra G. Brouk
Andrew Gounardes
Peter Harckham
Michelle Hinchey
Brad Hoylman-Sigal
Robert Jackson
Brian Kavanagh
John C. Liu
Shelley B. Mayer
Zellnor Myrie
Jessica Ramos
Luis R. Sepulveda
Jose M. Serrano
James Skoufis
Toby Ann Stavisky
ASSEMBLY
Michael Benedetto
Alex Bores
Chris Burdick
Patrick Burke
Noah Burroughs
Robert C. Carroll
Sarah Clark
Maritza Davila
Jeffrey Dinowitz
Phara Souffrant Forrest
Jessica González-Rojas
Andrew Hevesi
Jonathan G. Jacobson
Micah C. Lasher
Charles D. Lavine
Grace Lee
John T. McDonald III
Jen Lunsford
Demond Meeks
Amy Paulin
Steven Raga
Jenifer Rajkumar
Linda B. Rosenthal
Tommy John Schiavoni
Rebecca A. Seawright
Jo Anne Simon
Tony Simone
Al Stirpe
David I. Weprin
About the State Legislative Environmental Scorecard
This annual State Legislative Environmental Scorecard is NYLCV’s method for holding representatives accountable. In consultation with our partners from environmental, environmental justice, public health, and transportation groups, we identify for inclusion in our Scorecard the priority bills that have passed the legislature and those which we believe have a chance of becoming law. We then score each senator and assembly member based on their support of these bills.