EPA Names Top 25 Energy-Saving Cities
When it comes to embracing the Environmental Protection Agency’s energy efficiency Energy Star program—Washington D.C. leads the pack.
EPA announced its eighth-annual “Top Cities” list, ranking the top 25 U.S. metropolitan areas in terms of Energy Star certified commercial buildings.
Top 5 Performers
With 686 certified buildings, the nation’s capital city held onto its lead for the second consecutive year, cutting annual energy costs by $179 million, the agency reports.
Los Angeles came in second with 527 buildings followed by third place San Francisco with 355 buildings.
Atlanta and New York City rounded out the top five, each with more than 300 certified buildings.
"Every year, more cities and buildings are turning to energy efficiency to protect the environment and strengthen their local economies,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “Money saved on energy bills can boost the bottom line and be reinvested. The cities on this list prove energy efficiency saves money, improves our communities today, and helps us build toward a healthy future full of opportunity.”
The Energy-Saving Impact
More than 27,000 buildings across America helped save more than $3.8 billion in energy costs in 2015, EPA said. These buildings also prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions from the annual electricity use of more than 2.6 million homes, EPA said.
To earn EPA’s Energy Star, a commercial building must perform in the top 25 percent of similar buildings nationwide, as verified by a professional engineer or a registered architect. Office buildings, schools, retail stores, supermarkets, hotels and many other building types are eligible to earn the Energy Star certification.
Energy Star-certified buildings use an average of 35 percent less energy and are responsible for 35 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than average buildings.
The Complete List
The rankings appear below.
1. Washington, D.C. 686
2. Los Angeles 527
3. San Francisco 355
4. Atlanta 311
5. New York City 303
6. Chicago 281
7. Dallas-Fort Worth 249
8. Houston 231
9. Denver 215
10. Phoenix 190
11. Boston 157
12. Philadelphia 156
13. Minneapolis-St. Paul 131
14. Seattle 122
15. San Diego 120
16. Riverside 118
17. San Jose 114
18. Miami 104
19. Sacramento 103
20. Portland, OR 74
21. Charlotte, NC 71
22. Honolulu, HI 69
23. Virginia Beach 63
24. Indianapolis 57
25. Austin 55
25. Louisville 55