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The failure of California lawmakers to pass key climate protection bills last year kept the state from meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets, according to California Environmental Voters, the former California League of Conservation Voters. The “inaction” prompted the group to assign the state its lowest annual environmental score to date , 67%, equivalent to a D.

“The clock is ticking, and anything short of bold, expansive action on climate is insufficient,” the group said in a statement.

Democratic lawmakers ’ score overall for 2021 was 80%, while Republicans received a dismal 15%.

In 2020, the legislature’s overall score was 74%, and the year before it was 71%.

“California has failed to take meaningful climate action at the rate and scale that is needed for the crisis,” said Mary Creasman, EnviroVoters CEO. She said the state is “plagued by ‘climate delayers’ in Sacramento , ” legislative members who “talk about climate change but don’t back up those words with action.”

The near failing grade for legislature overall is attributed to both Democrats and Republicans who accept money from fossil fuel companies. It found that 63% of the Democratic-controlled legislature does so.

“Follow the money,” Creasman said. “Corporate polluters’ political influence has already done irreparable damage to our public health and economy, and it could cost us our future.” She said she hoped the report serves as a wake-up call to elected officials to prioritize the collective good above corporate interests.

Climate bills that legislators did not pass last year include SB 647 which would have banned fracking for oil and gas in neighborhoods, AB 1395 making it state policy to slash carbon emissions by 2045 at the latest, and SB 260 requiring corporations with more than $1 billion in revenue to disclose their emissions. The latter bill by Sen. Scott Weiner (D-San Francisco), however, was turned into a two-year bill. It passed the Senate in late January and awaits a vote in the Assembly.

California did cut its emissions between 2018-19, the most recent data, but only by 1.6% while a 4.3% annual decrease through 2030 is needed to meet the state mandate of lowering emissions 40% below 1990 levels by the decade’s end. That is according to a report by the nonprofit Next 10 released Dec. 14. It said the decarbonization target is jeopardized by increasing use of natural gas for generating electricity and for heating in buildings. Additions of renewably-generated electricity are also insufficient to attain a clean power sector, the report said.

Gov. Gavin Newson scored far higher than the state he governs, rating an 82% or B- on the environmental scorecard this week. The environmental group scored him five points higher last year.

The report does note Newsom was dealing with the pandemic and a “vicious recall effort” last year. But it still faults him for not using “his executive powers in 2021 in the same way we saw him do the previous year.”

Newsom proposes to spend $22.5 billion to slash climate pollution from the transportation and energy sectors and to address wildfire, with a focus on overburdened communities. While it says that is welcome, EnviroVoters wants to see more money directed to climate protection: $75 billion over five years.

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Democrats scoring lowest were Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) at 12%, followed by Susan Rubio (D-West Covina), at 42%.

The group claims Salas has “prioritized oil companies” during his nine years in office, and “authored numerous anti-environment bills.”

Salas’ office did not respond to a request for comments.

Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), who was given a perfect score and is a member of the 2021 Climate Action Caucus, said the climate crisis can’t wait. “We can and must ensure that policies and state resources are strongly aligned with climate and environmental goals that will protect our planet and build healthier communities for Californians today and for generations to come.”

Other lawmakers who received perfect scores include Assemblymembers Steve Bennett, Marc Berman, Wendy Carrillo, David Chiu, Laura Friedman, Ash Kalra, Kevin Mullin, Eloise Gómez Reyes, Robert Rivas, Phil Ting, and Senators Ben Allen, Josh Becker, Lena Gonzalez, Sydney Kamlager, Connie Leyva, Monique Limón, Henry Stern, and Scott Wiener.