How Green is Your State?

Last year, Forbes did a study that ranked all of the U.S. states in environmental metrics. To calculate a state's "greenness" they looked at six metrics:  carbon footprint, air quality, water quality, hazardous waste management, policy initiatives and energy consumption.

The top 10 greenest states were:
1. Vermont
2. Oregon
3. Washington
4. Hawaii
5. Maryland
6. Connecticut
7. New Jersey
8. Rhode Island
9. New York
10. Arizona

My home state, Washington, came in #3, despite having very strong ratings across the board. Why weren't we #1? We rank 20th nationwide in energy consumption per capita. Too high Washington, let's get the energy consumption down!

The least green states were:
46. Mississippi
47. Louisiana
48. Alabama
49. Indiana
50. West Virginia

I'm not shocked that the southern states hardest hit by Katrina haven't had time to legislate environmental policy in the last few years. Also, miles driven in cars are extremely high in those states.

West Virginia and Indiana both seem to have big problems with toxic waste management and clean water. Both are states with significant industry and manufacturing, and both are states with governments that have not passed much environmental legislation.

Where does your state rank? Do you agree?

Comments

[greenteen]

Woo Hoo! Number 10!