To essentially no one's surprise, West Virginia has taken last place in Forbes Magazine’s list of the country’s best and worst green states. Forbes ranked all fifty states based on air quality, policy initiatives, energy consumption, carbon footprint, hazardous waste management and water quality. West Virginia placed in the bottom five in the last three categories.

 

Though it is not for lack of effort by the actual citizens of West Virginia, this state is horrifically environmentally unsustainable. It is run by extractive industries. Coal has been king here for centuries, along with the many chemical manufactures who rely on West Virginia’s vast resources and cheap labor. The burden of our nation’s obsession with dirty energy has been left disproportionately on West Virginia.  This state puts up with environmental destruction and toxic pollution that would not be tolerated anywhere else. What is worse is that there are no clear plans to do anything about it.

 

Congratulations to Vermont for leading the country as the most green state! If I have anything to do with it, one day West Virginia will be right up there with you.