NEW YORK – House Members Nita Lowey (D) and Eliot Engel (D) both scored high in the National Environmental Scorecard released Tuesday by the New York State Conservation Voters. Christopher Gibson (R) scored only a 17 on a on a scorecard of zero to 100.

The scores are based on lawmakers’ votes on 35 environmental issues during the first session of the 112th Congress.

Lowey scored the highest of Hudson Valley House members with a score of 97. Engel scored 94, Maurice Hinchey (D) scored 69, Nan Hayworth (R) scored 43 and Gibson scored 17.

New York League of Conservation Voters’ President Marcia Bystryn said while Hayworth’s score is low, the group has been briefing her on the issues.

“While her score is nothing to write home about, she is the fifth ranking Republican in the House,” Bystryn said. “She has been a leader on some issues for us, so working with an elected official can pay off.”

As for Gibson’s low score Brystyn said they have more work to do with him.

“Clearly the environmental needs and protection of New York’s air, water and wildlife are not yet high priorities for him.”

Both New York Senators, Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, scored 100. They were based on 11 Senate votes on environmental issues.

Hinchey’s lower than normal grade – he has a lifetime rating of 93 – is as the result of missed votes while he was undergoing cancer treatments. League of Conservation Voters’ Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said Hinchey has an “impressive lifetime rating of 93 percent [that] better reflects his stalwart support for the environment.”