A recent report card has shed light on how Nevada lawmakers voted on significant environmental issues during the 2025 legislative session. Released by the Nevada Conservation League, the scorecard evaluates the voting records of assembly members and senators on 17 bills and one resolution, addressing critical topics such as urban heat management and energy regulation.
The scorecard highlights a clear partisan divide. Assembly Republicans consistently received lower scores compared to their Democratic counterparts. Among the 15 Republican assembly members, all scored below their 26 Democratic colleagues. The overall score for rural representatives was notably lower than that of legislators from urban areas like Reno and Las Vegas, averaging only 55 percent.
Among the legislators with the lowest scores are Assemblymembers Ken Gray (R-Dayton) and Gregory Hafen (R-Pahrump), along with Senator John Ellison (R-Eureka), who all received a score of 43 percent. Gray, who has stepped down from his Assembly seat to serve as a senior adviser at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, did not comment on the scorecard. Hafen also did not respond to requests for an interview. In a phone call, Ellison expressed his concern over the scoring’s fairness, particularly emphasizing the needs of his rural constituents who depend on agriculture and water resources.
“I look at every bill on its own merit,” Ellison stated. “It’s not an issue of D or R.” He rejected key bills that aimed to address urban heat planning and promote renewable energy solutions, stating his focus remains on the needs of his constituents.
In contrast, two Republican legislators received positive recognition from the conservation league. Assemblymember Toby Yurek (R-Henderson) scored 83 percent, largely due to sponsoring a bill that increased water allowances for wildlife guzzlers, which are crucial for bighorn sheep during droughts. Senator Ira Hansen (R-Sparks) scored 74 percent for sponsoring legislation requiring water pollution incidents to be reported to state regulators and Native American tribes.
The report also noted that six Democratic assembly members achieved perfect scores, including Natha Anderson of Sparks and Heather Goulding of Reno, reflecting their strong commitment to environmental issues.
Governor Lombardo’s Environmental Performance Rated
In addition to assessing legislators, the Nevada Conservation League evaluated the performance of Governor Joe Lombardo, who is preparing for re-election in 2026. The league assigned him a rating of C+, citing a mixed record on environmental matters. While they acknowledged some positive strides, such as support for clean energy initiatives, they also criticized his opposition to public land protections and promotion of fossil fuels.
“The governor’s record reflects both progress and challenges,” said a league representative. “While there has been improvement, further action is necessary.”
In response, Lombardo’s spokesman, Josh Meny, highlighted the governor’s commitment to balancing resource management with economic growth and energy security. Meny stated that Lombardo aims to consider the interests of all Nevadans while pursuing practical solutions to protect natural resources.
Last year, Lombardo unveiled a plan to address climate change, a notable step among many Republican governors. However, critics argue that the plan lacked specificity and public engagement, differing significantly from the more detailed proposal previously laid out by his Democratic predecessor.
The Nevada Conservation League’s report card serves not only as a reflection of the 2025 legislative session but also as a call for continued advocacy. Christi Cabrera-Georgeson, the league’s deputy director, emphasized the need for ongoing accountability and engagement with lawmakers to ensure that Nevada remains a leader in environmental progress.
