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Here's how Texas ranks on a list of the greenest states in the U.S.

It might only be Texas' grass that is green.

A list of the "greenest" states in the U.S. reveals that Texas has some work to do.

A report from WalletHub looked at 25 key metrics — from green buildings per capita to energy consumption from renewable resources — to evaluate the environmental friendliness of the 50 states and their residents.

Texas ranked No. 38, meaning it was the 13th least green state, only scoring 50.40 points out of 100.

In its favor, Texas is making headway on solar energy, which just surpassed coal as an energy source, according to a report from the Institute For Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. But the Lone Star State still has lots of room for improvement.

Here's how Texas ranked among a few of the key metrics:

No. 35 for air quality
No. 38 for soil quality
No. 38 for water quality
No. 26 for LEED-certified buildings per capita
No. 32 for percent of renewable energy consumption
No. 45 for energy consumption per capita
No. 38 for gasoline consumption (in gallons) per capita

California was ranked as the greenest state, with Vermont, New York, Maryland, and Washington, respectively, rounding out the top five.

The country's least green state is West Virginia, followed by Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Kentucky.

The report also zeroed in on how politics play into a state's climate system. Democrat-led states ranked around No. 15 on average, whereas Republican states fell at around No. 36.

Source: WalletHub

WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe says in the report that, beyond the benefit to the planet, being enviro-friendly is good for humans, too.

“It’s important for every American to do their part to support greener living and protect our environment. However, it’s much easier being green in some states than others," Happe writes. "For example, if a state doesn’t have a great infrastructure for alternative-fuel vehicles, it becomes much harder for residents to adopt that technology. Living in a green state is also very beneficial for the health of you and your family, as you benefit from better air, soil and water quality.”

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This report originally appeared on our sister site, EnergyCapitalHTX.

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Police News

Fort Worth police officer fired for unjustified use of force

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A Fort Worth police officer has been terminated following his involvement in a use of force incident. According to a release, Officer Matthew Krueger was let go on December 18, following an investigation into an incident involving someone who was videotaping his actions while he was on duty.

On Sunday, June 23, Fort Worth police officers responded to a hit-and-run collision near 1000 Foch St. The incident involved a suspected intoxicated driver who crashed into another vehicle and a structure before fleeing the scene on foot.

While officers were investigating, a woman approached them and used her cell phone to record their actions. Krueger asked and advised her multiple times to move across the street. When she failed to comply, she was placed under arrest.

During the arrest, Krueger used force to take the woman into custody, resulting in injuries that required medical care at an area hospital.

After being treated, the woman was released from the hospital, booked into jail, and charged with interference with public duties, resisting arrest and/or detention, evading arrest, and making a false alarm or report.

Krueger had been with the department for just under eight years and was assigned to the Patrol Bureau at the time of the incident.

The Fort Worth Police Major Case and Internal Affairs Units began immediate and congruent investigations. Krueger was transferred from Patrol to a unit with no public interaction, pending the outcome of the investigation.

After a review of the Internal Affairs investigation, Krueger’s chain of command determined that the level of force used was unjustified and violated departmental policy. Police Chief Neil Noakes concurred and terminated Krueger’s employment.

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