Today, Environmental Advocates NY released its 2026 Legislative Scorecard, the organization’s annual accounting of how every New York State lawmaker voted, sponsored, and spoke out on environmental bills during the latest legislative session.
This year’s scorecard reflects the defining environmental story of 2026: the rollback of climate commitments in 2019’s landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).
“This was the year Albany had every reason to lead on climate, and instead chose to retreat,” said Vanessa Fajans-Turner, Executive Director of Environmental Advocates NY. “Governor Hochul pressed for a rollback of New York’s climate law in the dead of night, the Legislature gave in, and New Yorkers lost: we lost protections for our air and water, billions in climate investment, strong family-sustaining jobs, and progress toward a safer and healthier future. But some legislators fought back — you’ll see exactly who did in this year’s scorecard — something that we need more legislators to do in the months and years to come.”
To urge legislators to oppose changes to the CLCPA, EANY introduced a new scoring category this year: the “Oil Spill,” reserved for actions that result in widespread and lasting environmental harm. Just 37 of New York’s 213 legislators earned full marks for defending the state’s climate law; 73 lawmakers in total publicly opposed the rollback at some point during the legislative fight.
Despite the setbacks, the legislative session still produced a handful of meaningful environmental protections, and the Scorecard highlights those lawmakers who pushed these initiatives forward. The thirteen EANY-supported bills that passed both houses and now await the Governor’s signature include a one-year moratorium on data centers, standardized food date labeling, the SUNNY Act authorizing plug-in solar, and codified PFAS drinking water limits. EANY calls on Governor Hochul to sign these important bills and urges the legislature to continue to advance those priorities that did not pass both houses this year.
Environmental Scorecard Key Findings
- The Senate’s average score of 75 was significantly higher than the Assembly’s average of 59.
- Three senators earned nearly perfect scores of 97: Environment Committee Chair Sen. Pete Harckham (D-South Salem), Sen. Erik Bottcher (D-Manhattan/Chelsea), and Sen. Kristen Gonzalez (D-Queens/Long Island City).
- Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) scored nearly as high, at 89. She endorsed three of five Superbill priorities and worked to advance other environmental bills through the chamber.
- The lowest-scoring senator was Sen. Mark Walczyk (R-Watertown), with a score of 10, who voted against almost every environmental bill that came before the chamber.
- In the Assembly, the highest scorer was Assemblymember Anna Kelles (D-Ithaca) with a score of 84, who sponsored all the Superbills and repeatedly voted in favor of EANY-endorsed legislation.
- Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx/Williamsbridge) scored a 64, reflecting his choice not to endorse any Superbill priorities aside from the Sustainable Future Program.
- The lowest-scoring Assembly member was Assemblymember Christopher Friend (R-Big Flats) with a score of 10, who endorsed no Superbills and voted against almost every EANY-endorsed bill.
Regional Breakdown
- Top scorers: Manhattan (83), Bronx (79), Queens (78), Mid-Hudson (73), and Central New York (72).
- Long Island scored far lower, at 53.
- Lowest scorers: North Country (31), Mohawk Valley (40), Southern Tier (42), Staten Island (43), and Western New York (47).
How the Scorecard Works
EANY reviews legislation throughout the session and evaluates bills using its longstanding “Trees & Smokestacks” rating system. Bills that benefit New York’s environment earn up to three trees, while bills that would harm the environment receive up to three smokestacks.
Legislators earn points for their support on environmental legislation, and this year also based on how actively they stood up for the CLCPA. Priority Superbills, selected jointly with the Green Council, composed of the state’s leading environmental organizations, receive additional weight.
While EANY’s Scorecard does not detail legislative actions taken by the Governor, this year’s scorecard makes clear that Governor Hochul shaped the outcome of the 2026 session for the worse. Lawmakers ultimately chose whether to resist or accept those changes, and the 2026 Legislative Scorecard serves as a record of which of them spoke out at a pivotal moment for New York’s climate future. We urge the Governor to follow these legislators’ lead in the coming year.
EANY calls on legislators to use the Scorecard as a roadmap for action: we’re asking every member to cosponsor, champion, and vote for the strong environmental legislation included in our scorecard, work to move priority bills forward, and ensure that communities across New York see meaningful progress on the environmental challenges they face every day.
Download the full Scorecard here.
Visit the interactive Scorecard website here.
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Environmental Advocates NY is New York’s leading environmental watchdog, working for over 50 years to advance strong environmental laws and hold decision-makers accountable.
