Berkshire Eagle Editorial

Massachusetts’ second-in-the-nation ranking in clean technology is a tribute to the green energy policies the state has implemented and encouraged over the last several years. As environmental concerns grow along with the perils of global warming, those policies will pay greater dividends -- as long as the state doesn’t stray from that path.

This is the highest ranking ever for Massachusetts in the annual survey made by the industry research firm Clean Edge. California is the perennial leader, with Massachusetts moving ahead of Oregon for the first time. Neighboring New York state was fourth. The Clean Edge rankings are based largely on state policies and incentives promoting green technology, the siting of alternative energy generating sources like wind turbines, and per-capital investment in the clean-energy industry.