The federal government released data last month that confirm Vermont’s reputation as a green state, at least as compared to other states.
The Energy Information Administration’s report, “State-Level Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions, 2000-2010,” ranks all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., by various metrics of carbon dioxide emissions. Vermont took home the gold for the lowest total emissions and the least reliance on carbon-based energy and got a figurative silver medal for its low per capita emissions. While Vermont can still cling to its unofficial title of greenest state, the data reveal that in terms of reducing their per capita emissions, Vermonters are no superstars — just average.
A few caveats and particulars: The Energy Information Administration’s report looks at carbon emissions from energy-related sources only, so the petroleum used in plastics, for example, is not included. Emissions from the production of fossil fuels are attributed to the state where they originate, not where they are consumed. The report includes data on carbon dioxide only, not the emissions of other greenhouse gases. Also, greenhouse gas emissions swung downward during the 2008 recession and have since nearly reached previous levels. The data used in this report are from 2010, when emissions were lower than they are today.
Editor’s note: The source for all data used in these graphs is the Energy Information Administration’s report titled “State-Level Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions, 2000-2010” and its associated data available online here.
See the following slideshow to examine the data.
