A new study finds Kentucky among the least eco-friendly states in the country.
The report from personal finance network Wallethub considers the following metrics, with stats from federal agencies and environmental advocacy groups:
- CO2 emissions
- Total municipal solid waste produced and recycled
- Air, water and soil quality
- "Green" buildings per capita
- Percentage of energy consumption from renewable sources
- Energy consumption per capita
- Energy efficiency scorecard
- Gasoline and water consumption
- Number of alternative-fueled vehicles per capita
- "Green" transportation usage
Kentucky scored poorly in a handful of metrics including air quality (44th), green buildings per capita (45th) and percentage of renewable energy consumption (44th), along with a 48th overall standing. However, the commonwealth earned high marks for water quality.
Lane Boldman with the Kentucky Conservation Committee says the commonwealth’s reliance on coal may be to blame.
“We don’t use anything else," Boldman said. "So the biggest thing we can do is put forth energy efficiency initiatives and move to cleaner power plants, cleaner fuels and simply better usage when we are using coal.”
Tennessee came in at No. 37 overall, followed by 27th-ranked Illinois.
You can find the full report here.
Graphic courtesy of WalletHub