From Guest Blogger Devin Morrissey: Four Eco-Friendliest States in the U.S.
The United States is the midst of peak moving season, in which millions of Americans across the country pack up their things and relocate for myriad reasons. Whether you’re buying your first house or moving to further your career, there are a lot of aspects to consider. For eco-conscious families, one of those reasons is to seek out a more eco-friendly environment to thrive in.
This isn’t a trivial consideration. Given the many health risks associated with living in high-pollution areas, we have clear incentives for seeking out areas with low levels of pollution. A cleaner environment decreases premature mortality rates, as well as complications involving allergies and asthma. There’s no question that living in an area with less pollution has positive health benefits — but where should you move?
Which states have the most eco-friendly options, policies, and cultural climate? Let’s look at the top four most eco-friendly states in the U.S., based on the number of megawatts (MW) of installed solar capacity, as provided by Vivint Solar.
- California: 21,074 MW
In first place by a wide margin, California is the national leader for the solar industry. At 21,074 MW, this state accounts for approximately 40 percent of the total U.S. production of solar energy.
However, this good news comes with a caveat: Depending on where you settle in California, you might not live under the clear blue skies you were hoping to see. This is because eight of the 10 most polluted U.S. cities reside in the Golden State, in terms of ozone pollution. For this reason, you should avoid moving to high-population areas such as Bakersfield, Fresno-Madera, or Los Angeles if you have health concerns related to air pollutants. Conversely, cities like Redding are some of the cleanest in the U.S.
While the costs of living in California and the price of solar energy may seem prohibitive, you may find that you can live within your means. The state provides robust solar incentives and tax credits, giving practically any homeowner the means to commit to solar energy. Solar energy also lowers monthly energy costs.
California’s commitment to solar energy will only grow as time goes on, with a recent state energy commision ruling demanding that developers install mandatory solar panels on most new residential buildings.
- North Carolina: 4,308 MW
A decade ago, North Carolina produced less than 1 megawatt of solar energy annually. Today, it is in the running as one of the top producers. At the end of 2011, a federal grant made the prospect of turning to solar energy much more economically viable. State agencies (as well as consumers) embraced federal incentives with much enthusiasm, rapidly shifting the state towards a greener future.
As a result, many cities in the state benefit from reduced emissions and cleaner skies — so take a breath of fresh air. Counties in the eastern part of the state are well known for clean skies. Coastal areas are particularly clear, with Wilmington being one of the top six clean cities in the U.S.
While the state lacks substantial tax credits and rebates for people who want to invest in solar, people who opt to install solar panels are eligible for property tax exemptions.
- Arizona: 3,400 MW
Among all authoritative sources, Arizona consistently ranks in the top 10 for states when it comes to solar power. Similarly to North Carolina, Arizona’s solar energy industry has seen explosive growth since 2012. By 2025, the Arizona Corporation Commission will require 15 percent renewable energy among all regulated utilities.
While high-pollution rates in Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale may make potential residents skeptical of living in the state, keep in mind that Arizona, on the whole, is actually one of the top three cleanest states in the nation — only Alaska and Nevada can claim to have less air pollution.
Arizona is an affordable state to embrace solar energy, with property and sales tax exemptions available to homeowners interested in going green.
- Texas: 1,874 MW
Surprised to see this state on this list? Five years ago, guest blogger Clint Robertson noted that Texas was struggling to adapt to and support the solar energy industry — but things have changed. Contrast statistics in Robertson’s article with a report by Scientific American: Texas generated 18 percent of its energy from wind and solar in 2017. This is 8 percent higher than the national average of 10 percent.
This increase in solar energy production, in conjunction with other state initiatives, has been associated with some strides in reducing air pollution. While Texas has historically struggled with harmful emissions, the past decade has seen a drastic reduction. If you’re looking for clean skies, note that Amarillo is one of the cleanest states in the nations.
While the cost of living in some of these states may exceed your desired budget, Texas is likely an exception; it is the most affordable state to live in on this list. Families looking to rent an apartment with bad credit have a good chance of finding relatively affordable housing in the Lone Star State.
These are only a few of the best states when it comes to embracing the benefits of solar energy. Fortunately, the U.S. on the whole is trending in a positive direction when it comes to going green. If you’re an eco-conscious individual looking to move this season, these are some of the best, cleanest areas to settle down.
