Have you ever wondered which parts of the United States are doing the best job at going eco-friendly? It’s a surprisingly difficult question to answer, with many different statistics to consider. If you search for an answer, you’ll find many different lists, all ranked differently. However, ranking only goes so far, and it can also be valuable to simply highlight a few states that are doing a great job.

Vermont

The state of Vermont regularly tops lists of greenest states, and for good reason. Nicknamed “the green mountain state,” Vermont is famous for things like maple syrup and cheddar cheese, and has an economic emphasis on farming and forestry as a result. Iconic pictures of the state are usually covered in trees. It is therefore no surprise that this state regularly ranks in the top five in categories such as air, water and soil quality. While their climate change contributions are average, Wallethub ranked them first in environmental quality and third in eco-friendly behaviors. Vermont also produces more than 99% percent of its energy using renewable sources.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts is doing a fantastic job at cutting emissions and contributing to climate change solutions. This may be partially due to the environmentally conscious cities in the state, including Boston, Harvard and Cambridge, which also provide highly acclaimed universities which contribute to positive change. Massachusetts solar power is also on the rise, with an impressive 10.6% of the states electricity coming from solar energy alone.

California

California is eclectic both in its culture, and its relative ecological impact. Despite the high traffic and dense cities, however, it still deserves a place on this list because of the massive changes that have taken place in recent decades. This state generates far more solar energy than any other, totalling nearly 38% of all solar energy generated in the United States. Californians also recycle more and use less energy, on average, than residents of most other states. Trends in the golden state seem to indicate that renewable energy production is continuing to grow, meaning that they may eventually outpace their industrial impacts. If this does occur, it could result in cleaner air, which would make a huge difference as the state usually fails its air quality report card.

Idaho

A perhaps surprising addition to this list, Idaho is on this list because of their investment in a different kind of renewable energy: hydroelectric. Even though this state is relatively uninhabited, currently listed at number 44 in terms of population density, residents of this state still produce almost all of their electricity using renewable means. Almost 82% of the state’s electricity is renewable, most of which is hydroelectric, or produced by dams. 

Minnesota

While Minnesota does well on renewable energy usage, this state is not listed here because of its electricity. While the state does produce about a quarter of its power using renewables, primarily wind, where it really shines is its soil and water quality. In many listings, Minnesota is near the top for soil quality, and is ranked first in at least one list for water quality. While it is not usually near the top for air quality, this state consistently reaches at least the top fifteen, making it one of the cleanest and least polluted states in which to live. 

While the question of the greenest state is a complicated one, there are a few standout states. If you are considering moving to a greener state, think about which qualities are the most important to you. If you are looking for a high renewable energy rate, California or Idaho might be right for you. Massachusetts is doing well at cutting emissions, while Minnesota has especially clean water and soil. If you are looking for a state that combines the positive qualities in a single location, one of many fantastic options is the gorgeous state of Vermont. Even if you live elsewhere, you can work towards improving your own state.