Forbes, the national business and financial news publisher, ranks Washington among the very
best states on two national scorecards - quality of the environment and health of the business
environment.
We don't see this as coincidence; we believe a clean environment and a healthy business climate go hand in hand. And we're dead serious about both.
Washington is in Forbes' Top 5 states for business - According to Forbes, we are the
only state to finish in the top 5 in three main categories (labor, regulatory environment
and growth). And, says Forbes, "Washington's numbers are up across the board when you look both backward and at projections into the future."
As for environmental quality, Forbes ranks three states above all others - Vermont, Oregon and Washington. Says Forbes: "All have low carbon dioxide emissions per capita (or 'carbon footprints'), strong policies to promote energy efficiency and high air quality, as indicated by their major metro areas that are low in smog and ozone pollution. They're also among the states with the most buildings (on a per capita basis) that have received the U.S. Green Building Council's benchmark certification, known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Washington also has some of the nation's cleanest water. "
Washington is the only state to be in the top five states in both rankings.
Governor Gregoire told Forbes: "We're blessed by birth. We have an innovative spirit in the
state. We've made improvements to get out of the way and let innovation and creativity take
over."
By the numbers: Washington’s clean, green economy
The importance of Washington’s natural environment – the awe-inspiring geography and
topography that we all call home – is far more than dollars and cents.
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