How is your state doing?

The United States Energy Information Administration just released data on carbon dioxide emissions per state. Folks at the Center for American Progress put together an interactive map that allows you to see how your state is doing.

The 10 cleanest states based on per capita emissions--in order, the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, California, Idaho, New York, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Washington--have aggressive renewable energy and/or efficiency programs. (emphasis added)

You may be surprised to see Idaho in that list. I was, until the rest of the article reminded me that Idaho gets 78% of its electricity from hydropower -- primarily dams and waterfalls on the Snake River.

The other nine states have clean energy programs with measures such as renewable electricity standards that require utilities to provide a certain amount of electricity from wind, solar, geothermal, or other renewable energy sources. These nine states all have greenhouse gas emissions targets, too.

Progress is possible, if we commit ourselves to it.