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L.A., D.C. Again Lead Energy Rankings
For the sixth year in a row, Los Angeles has topped the federal list of 25 U.S. metro areas with the most Energy Star-certified buildings.
The nation's second-largest city has 443 Energy-Star buildings, which generate $132.2 million in annual energy cost savings, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Los Angeles has topped the federal chart since the agency began keeping track in 2008.
Top Ten
Washington, D.C., came in second on the new list for the fifth consecutive year. The District of Columbia has 435 Energy Star-certified buildings and has slashed annual energy costs by $119.0 million.
Atlanta took third place, with 318 buildings, moving up from the number five spot this year.
Rounding out the top five were New York and San Francisco.
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The EPA says that by the end of 2013, more than 23,000 Energy Star-certified buildings across the country saved almost $3.1 billion in annual utility bills. |
Chicago fell from its number-three slot to sixth place in this year’s list. Dallas-Fort Worth and Denver ranked eighth and ninth, respectively.
Philadelphia entered the top 10 for the first time, ranking ninth. Houston rounded out the top 10.
Together, the top ten metro areas accounted for $1.4 billion in total savings.
Energy-Star Data
By the end of 2013, more than 23,000 Energy Star-certified buildings across the country saved almost $3.1 billion in annual utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the annual energy use of over 2.2 million homes, EPA reports.
Energy use in commercial buildings accounts for 17 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $100 billion per year, according to the EPA.
Commercial buildings that earn EPA’s Energy Star must perform in the top 25 percent of similar buildings nationwide and must be independently verified by a licensed professional engineer or a registered architect.
Many types of commercial buildings can earn the Energy Star, including office buildings, K-12 schools, hotels, and retail stores.
