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

Tuesday’s Headlines

Pico Blvd, Ohio Ave, WeHo parking, gas prices, Pasadena, Metro lost and found, and more

March 10, 2026

This Week In Livable Streets

Metro NoHo-Pasadena BRT meetings continue, Westside safety project meetings, D Line construction, and more

March 9, 2026

Bike Updates: Griffith Park, Chandler, Terra Bella, and Westside Plans

Griffith Park bike upgrades partially installed. Plus: Terra Bella Street, Chandler groundbreaking, and Westside bike project meetings

March 9, 2026

Monday’s Headlines

Major transit stops, gas prices, Santa Monica, LAX, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, Redondo Beach, Long Beach, Burbank, car-nage, and more

March 9, 2026

City Attorney Takes Her Own Swing at Man Sucker Punched by LAPD in 2024

Eleven months after Officer Joshua Sportiello punched Alexander Mitchell in the face, the City Attorney's office filed misdemeanor resisting charges against him. Was it in retaliation for Mitchell's civil suit?

March 6, 2026

Friday’s Headlines

ICE, Measure HLA, Chinatown, Mid-City, SB79, Glendale, and more

March 6, 2026
See all posts