Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In

This week’s edition of Forbes magazine featured a profile of the "greenness" of all 50 states, ranking them from the most enviro-friendly to the least. Forbes seems surprised that California wasn’t ranked closer to the top given the state’s well-chronicled environmental policies.

Here’s what Forbes had to say about the Golden State:

CaliforniaNo. 14

Score: 37.1 out of 50Despite the fact that Californiaroutinely sets the bar for environmental policies, it takes a hit in our air andwater quality rankings. At least five of its metropolitan areas, including LosAngeles, Bakersfield and Fresno--appear on the American Lung Association’s 2007list of cities with the worst long-term smog and ozone pollution. And 69% of itsmajor water facilities exceeded their Clean Water Act permit limits at leastonce in 2005, according to the watchdog group U.S. PIRG. That’s the 10th worstpercentage in the country.

For a listing of where every state ranks, click here.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Extending the Foothill A Line Hasn’t Been Forgotten

Plans are underway to get the track built to Claremont, and stakeholders remain hopeful that Montclair can make a comeback.

January 21, 2026

Wednesday’s Headlines

ICE, Metro meeting tomorrow, Torrance, transit ambassadors, Santa Monica, Glendale, red light cameras, Koreatown, Long Beach parking, car-nage, and more

January 21, 2026

Uh Oh! Dueling Alignments Could Throw Torrance Metro Rail Extension into Limbo

Metro's plan for a four-mile light rail extension from Redondo Beach to Torrance could get a lot more difficult, and more expensive

January 20, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines

ICE, DIY crosswalks, Torrance rail, Sepulveda rail, Metro, Pasadena, car-nage, and more

January 20, 2026

Santa Monica Parking Enforcement Vehicles to Use AI Cameras to Ticket Bike Lane Violations

Similar to on-bus AI cameras for bus lanes, but with two new wrinkles: cameras will be on city cars, and will detect bike lane blockers

January 16, 2026

Friday’s Headlines

ICE, Metro vs. SB79, Olympics, Santa Monica parking, homelessness, Koreatown, Santa Clarita, Malibu, car-nage, and more

January 16, 2026
See all posts