It’s that time again. In the run up to Earth Day, which falls on Sunday, April 22, personal finance site WalletHub has published its list of the greenest, most eco-friendly states in America.

Like last year, Vermont takes first place in 2018. Oregon, Massachusetts, New York and South Dakota round out the top five.

Interestingly, five states tied for first place in most LEED-certified buildings per capita, New Mexico, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Oregon and Texas. Three states are tied for the highest percentage of renewable energy consumption, Oregon, Maine and Washington. New Jersey, Rhode Island, Alaska, Louisiana and Delaware rank the lowest.

Here’s an interesting insight for those concerned that environmentally responsible practices don’t align with economic prosperity.

When asked about the trade-off, an expert quoted in the report, Thomas Ballestero, associate professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New Hampshire, called the notion a “major misperception” and weighed in with the following.

“Often, as in storm water, greener is not only less expensive in the capital cost, but also in longer-term maintenance costs,” he said. “The life-cycle costs of green infrastructure outweigh those of conventional with the major added benefits of environmental improvements, plus the creation of significant natural and social capital.”

Read the rest of WalletHub’s report here.

Image credit: WalletHub