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

SGV Connect 144: Annual AMA with Foothill Transit

It's the most wonderful podcast of the year

December 19, 2025

Friday Round-Up: Speed Cameras, River Path, Memorial Crosswalk, and More

Metro releases L.A. River path draft plan for comment, "large asphalt repair" video, crosswalk memorial, and speed camera programs coming soon to Glendale and Long Beach

December 19, 2025

They Came to Mourn. LAPD Came in Force. Now Two Men Could Face Serious Consequences Because LAPD Won’t Acknowledge They Were Wrong.

The July 7 vigil for Kenny Hall had been peaceful until LAPD arrived and began pushing people around. When peacemaker Shamond "Lil AD" Bennett tried to intervene and de-escalate LAPD, officer Evan Mott assaulted him. When Dontreal Washington protested, officers punched him in the face. Then LAPD arrested them both.

December 18, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines

ICE, crosswalks, LB & Glendale speed cameras, LAPD, bike lanes, Councilmember Lee, Tesla, car-nage, and more

December 18, 2025

LAPD Shuts Down Volunteers Repainting Nadir Gavarrete Memorial at Koreatown Intersection

At the deadly 4th/New Hampshire intersection, LAPD shut down Crosswalks Collective L.A.'s unpermitted safe streets work

December 17, 2025
See all posts