Despite Vermont’s clean-and-green self image, a national environmental group says it is not among the top states in taking steps to reduce dependence on oil.
The Washington-based Natural Resources Defense Council, in a report titled "Fighting Oil Addiction," says Vermont ranks 16th in the country on a series of steps states are taking to reduce their dependence on petroleum.
Meanwhile, Vermont ranks 31st in the country for percentage of income its residents spend on gasoline.
Maine came in 13th on the NRDC’s ranking of states for steps taken, but its ranking for amount per capita spent on gasoline – 12th in the country – showed it may have more work to do.
New Hampshire ranked 39th in the country for steps taken to reduce petroleum usage; but ranked 37th in the country for the percentage of income its residents spend on gasoline.