What Is the Least Environmentally Friendly State in the United States?
CO2 Emissions Calculator
How Your Choices Impact the Environment
Wyoming has the highest per capita carbon emissions in the United States at over 100 metric tons annually per person. This calculator helps you understand your personal carbon footprint and see how it compares to Wyoming's.
Wyoming produces over 100 metric tons of CO2 per person annually — more than double the national average and nearly five times that of California.
This is due to Wyoming being the top coal-producing state, accounting for nearly 40% of all U.S. coal output.
Wyoming Emissions
Wyoming's emissions are counted based on where the fuel is produced, not where it's burned — so their coal sent to power plants in other states still counts against Wyoming's footprint.
Your emissions will appear here after calculation
When you think of the United States and the environment, you might picture Oregon’s forests, California’s solar farms, or Vermont’s wind turbines. But not every state is moving in the same direction. In fact, one state stands out for its heavy reliance on fossil fuels, weak environmental regulations, and massive carbon footprint - and it’s not the one you might guess.
Wyoming Is the Least Environmentally Friendly State
Wyoming isn’t just the least populous state - it’s also the least environmentally friendly. In 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranked Wyoming as the worst performer in the U.S. for carbon emissions per capita, energy intensity, and reliance on coal. The state produces more CO2 per person than any other state, averaging over 100 metric tons annually per resident. That’s more than double the national average and nearly five times the amount produced in California.
Why? Because Wyoming is the top coal-producing state in the country. It accounts for nearly 40% of all U.S. coal output. Most of that coal doesn’t even get burned in Wyoming - it’s shipped to power plants in Texas, Illinois, and Ohio. But the emissions from burning that coal still count toward Wyoming’s footprint. And because the state has no personal income tax and relies heavily on coal royalties, there’s little political will to change.
How Wyoming’s Energy System Works
Wyoming’s electricity grid is almost entirely powered by coal. In 2025, 68% of the state’s electricity came from coal-fired plants. Natural gas made up 21%, and renewables - wind, solar, and hydro - combined made up just 9%. Compare that to Colorado, where renewables generated over 40% of electricity, or Iowa, where wind alone provided 60%.
Wyoming has wind resources that could rival Texas. But the state has invested almost nothing in building transmission lines or wind farms. Why? Because coal companies still own the land, control the infrastructure, and fund most local politicians. A 2024 study by the University of Wyoming found that over 80% of campaign contributions from energy companies went to candidates who voted against renewable energy mandates.
The Human and Environmental Cost
The effects aren’t just numbers. The Powder River Basin, where most of Wyoming’s coal is mined, has seen a 30% increase in groundwater contamination since 2018. Local rivers now carry heavy metals like arsenic and selenium. Native American communities on the Wind River Reservation report higher rates of asthma and kidney disease - linked to airborne particulates from nearby coal plants.
Wyoming’s air quality is also the worst in the Mountain West. In 2025, Cheyenne recorded 22 days of unhealthy ozone levels - more than Los Angeles had that year. Even in winter, temperature inversions trap pollution in valleys, turning the air thick and hazy. Kids in Laramie can’t play outside on more than half the winter days without risking respiratory damage.
Why Other States Don’t Compare
You might think Texas or West Virginia are worse. But Texas, despite being the second-largest coal producer, has invested billions in wind energy. It now leads the nation in wind power generation. West Virginia has high emissions, but it’s shrinking its coal workforce and slowly shifting toward natural gas.
Wyoming is different. It doesn’t just depend on coal - it’s doubling down. In 2024, the state legislature passed a law banning any county from regulating coal mining or emissions. It also blocked state funding for EV charging stations and removed all tax credits for solar installations. Wyoming’s governor called renewable energy a "federal overreach."
What This Means for the Rest of the Country
Wyoming’s emissions don’t stay in Wyoming. Every ton of coal burned there contributes to global warming, acid rain, and extreme weather events that hit every state. When Wyoming sends 100 million tons of coal out of state each year, it’s not just shipping energy - it’s shipping climate risk.
And because Wyoming has no emissions cap, it’s essentially subsidizing pollution elsewhere. Power plants in Ohio and Indiana that burn Wyoming coal pay less for fuel than they would if they used cleaner sources. That makes it harder for those states to transition - because coal from Wyoming is cheaper than wind or solar.
Is There Any Hope for Change?
Some signs are emerging. Wind farms are slowly being built near the Montana border, and a few rural towns are experimenting with solar microgrids. A 2025 ballot initiative in Laramie County narrowly failed, but it got 47% of the vote - up from 28% in 2020. Young voters are pushing back. The University of Wyoming now offers a degree in renewable energy engineering - and enrollment has tripled in three years.
But real change will need outside pressure. Federal regulations on interstate coal shipments could force states to reconsider. National carbon pricing would make Wyoming’s exports less profitable. And as more Americans choose clean energy, the market for coal will keep shrinking - no matter what state it comes from.
What You Can Do
Even if you don’t live in Wyoming, your choices matter. If you’re on a utility plan that sources power from coal-heavy states, ask your provider where your electricity comes from. Switch to a green energy plan if you can. Support companies that refuse to buy coal-generated power. And vote - not just for local offices, but for federal representatives who back clean energy standards.
Wyoming won’t change on its own. But when the rest of the country stops buying its coal, it won’t have a choice.
Why is Wyoming’s coal production so harmful if it’s exported?
Even though Wyoming’s coal is burned in other states, the emissions are still counted under Wyoming’s environmental footprint because the state produces and exports the fuel. The EPA tracks emissions by origin, not consumption. This means Wyoming’s carbon footprint includes all the CO2 released from coal mined and shipped out of the state, regardless of where it’s burned.
Does Wyoming have any renewable energy projects at all?
Yes, but they’re minimal. Wyoming has a few small wind farms near the Montana border and some solar installations on state buildings. However, renewables make up less than 10% of the state’s electricity mix. There’s no state-wide incentive for solar or wind, and most private developers avoid the state due to its hostile regulatory environment and lack of transmission infrastructure.
How does Wyoming’s emissions compare to other states?
Wyoming emits over 100 metric tons of CO2 per person annually - the highest in the U.S. California emits about 20, New York about 15, and Texas about 40. Even Alaska, with its remote oil infrastructure, emits only 55 tons per capita. Wyoming’s per capita emissions are more than five times higher than the national average of 19.5 tons.
Why doesn’t Wyoming invest in wind energy despite having great potential?
Wyoming has some of the best wind resources in the country, but the political and economic system is built around coal. Coal companies own the land, fund politicians, and control the state’s budget through royalties. There’s no financial incentive to shift - and strong resistance to change. Plus, building transmission lines to move wind power to other states requires federal approval, which Wyoming’s leaders have consistently blocked.
Can federal policy change Wyoming’s environmental impact?
Yes. Federal carbon pricing, limits on interstate coal shipments, or requiring utilities to disclose the source of their power could force change. If major buyers like Texas or Illinois stop purchasing Wyoming coal due to cost or regulation, the state’s economy would feel the pressure. Without coal exports, Wyoming’s budget would collapse - and that’s the only leverage that might push it toward renewables.