Probably no surprise to many Marylanders, but an article just published on Forbes.com ranks our state as among the "greenest" in the country.  The piece, "America's Greenest States," which you can read here, rates the states according to various environmental measures, including consumption patterns, air and water quality, and waste, as well as government policy.

"America in Miniature" weighs in at No. 5 on the business publication's ranking, after such environmental meccas as Vermont, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii.  Though Maryland was the highest-ranking Eastern state, it was followed closely by Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island and New York.

California, often considered a leader in environmental policy and advocacy, only came in 14th.  In fact, the West, with its wide-open spaces, didn't do as well as a region.  The worst five, by Forbes' reckoning, were Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Indiana and West Virginia (ouch! my home state!)

The writers, Brian Wingfield and Miriam Marcus, said Maryland's high ranking on their green-o-meter might seem surprising, since the state has some of the worst smog and ozone pollution in the country. But, they added:

Only 10 states have a lower carbon footprint per capita than Maryland, and the state has a relatively low instance of water facilities exceeding their Clean Water Act permits, according to PIRG. In addition, Maryland ranks 40th in total energy consumption nationwide, and it managed less toxic waste per capita than all but six states in 2005. And earlier this year it joined a group of Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to cap greenhouse gas emissions and trade emissions credits.

What do you think?  Is Maryland greener than most, including California? Too green, or not green enough?