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4 New England States Are 2023’s Top 10 Greenest! See Which Is #1

By Carolyn Kruse

Earth Day is this Saturday, April 22. With that in mind, WalletHub recently released it’s data on the country’s most eco-friendly states, and there’s good news, my fellow New Englanders. We are doing a pretty good job at being environmentally aware, active and friendly, compared to the rest of the country. In fact. 4 New England States are 2023’s top 10 greenest! See which is #1 below. And get the full list of all the states here.

Only New Hampshire and Rhode Island are just outside of the top 10. New Hampshire ranked at #12, while Rhode Island came in at #16. Still, very respectible showings. But clearly, there is much work to be done.

How did WalletHub come up with the data? According to their website: In order to determine the greenest states, WalletHub compared the 50 states across three key dimensions: 1) Environmental Quality, 2) Eco-Friendly Behaviors and 3) Climate-Change Contributions.”

They assessed the dimensions using 25 measurements: 35 points for environmental quality, 35 for eco-friendly behaviors and 30 points for climate change contributions. Each benchmark was graded on a scale of 100 points. A score of 100 = the highest level of eco-friendlines.

Here are the top 10 greenest states in the U.S. according to the above criteria from WalletHub.

 

  • 1. Vermont

    It’s  only appropriate that the Green State earned the honors of being the most green state. And this isn’t their first rodeo to the top. Congratulations (again) for your hard work, Vermont!

  • 2. New York

    In Massachusetts, we hate losing to New York, in anything. But props to the Empire State for #2 status in working toward greener pastures.

  • 3. California

    The Golden State continues it’s efforts to stay golden. And kudos to keeping wine country green.

  • 4. Hawaii

    When you look this good, you want to do all you can to stay that way. Paradise doesn’t come without work. Next visit to Hawaii, maybe try one of their eco-friendly resorts.

  • 5. Maryland

    The Free State has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the U.S. They also don’t consume a lot of energy. In fact they rank 40th of all states in consumption. Nicely done, Maryland.

  • 6. Connecticut

    One of the Nutmeg State’s most popular attractions is keeping it green. Mohegan Sun in Connecticute has earned an impressive distinction.

  • 7. Massachusetts

    Here, in the Bay State, we are doing our part to keep it green. Last year, Massachusetts tied for first for having the highest water quality, we came in third for green buildings per capita. Earth Day is always a good reminder to do our part, as individuals.

  • 8. Minnesota

    The Land of 10,000 Lakes scored high in clean soil and air, renewable energy consumption and gasoline use. They are also famous for taking their bikes to work, school, anywhere, in any weather.

  • 9. Washington

    When so much of your state’s terrain is made up of deep green forests, and you nickname is the Evergreen State, you’ve got to be green.  4 years ago, Washington become the first state to take “goind green” a step further.

  • 10. Maine

    When you think Maine, you think lobsters. It’s good to know when you vacation in the Vacation State, they are working hard to be eco friendly in the lobster industry.

     

  • The FULL 50 list of Most Environmentally Friendly States

    Graphic courtesy of WalletHub

    Most Environmentally Friendly States

    Overall Rank*  State Total Score  Environmental Quality  Eco-Friendly Behaviors  Climate-Change Contributions 
    1 Vermont 78.44 2 1 33
    2 New York 77.72 3 7 8
    3 California 75.46 14 3 4
    4 Hawaii 75.25 1 10 13
    5 Maryland 74.70 7 4 7
    6 Connecticut 72.45 8 11 1
    7 Massachusetts 71.56 6 15 6
    8 Minnesota 70.13 5 9 22
    9 Washington 69.67 13 6 11
    10 Maine 69.60 4 8 24
    11 Colorado 67.58 12 5 23
    12 New Hampshire 66.81 10 34 5
    13 South Dakota 66.76 11 22 14
    14 Michigan 66.08 9 25 18
    15 Oregon 65.66 23 2 37
    16 Rhode Island 65.21 25 21 2
    17 Virginia 63.73 15 19 20
    18 Delaware 62.48 22 27 12
    19 Nevada 61.18 42 12 9
    20 Wisconsin 61.01 38 14 16
    21 New Jersey 60.10 45 16 3
    22 Illinois 59.82 18 18 29
    23 North Carolina 59.57 29 24 19
    24 Pennsylvania 59.11 19 17 32
    25 Montana 57.58 27 23 26
    26 Nebraska 56.68 16 38 28
    27 Utah 56.61 36 20 27
    28 South Carolina 56.44 34 37 17
    29 Idaho 55.72 41 35 10
    30 Iowa 55.36 24 13 43
    31 Ohio 55.25 31 33 25
    32 Missouri 55.22 20 30 35
    33 Georgia 54.10 28 42 21
    34 Tennessee 52.70 37 44 15
    35 Florida 50.27 26 40 39
    36 Kansas 50.03 40 32 36
    37 New Mexico 49.81 47 28 31
    38 Texas 49.60 43 26 40
    39 Arizona 49.54 46 29 34
    40 Arkansas 48.89 21 45 38
    41 Indiana 48.61 30 39 41
    42 North Dakota 47.16 17 31 46
    43 Oklahoma 44.94 44 36 44
    44 Alaska 40.91 50 43 30
    45 Kentucky 40.16 32 47 45
    46 Wyoming 36.44 33 41 48
    47 Alabama 36.11 35 46 47
    48 Mississippi 34.34 49 49 42
    49 Louisiana 29.57 39 50 49
    50 West Virginia 19.30 48 48 50

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