EPA’s Energy Star Names Odessa, TX, as Nation’s Top Small City for Energy Efficient Buildings

DALLAS - (March 26, 2015) The E.P.A. (EPA) has announced Odessa, Texas, as the nation's leader among smaller cities for Energy Star certified buildings. Odessa boasts 31 buildings with the certification-all schools and school administration offices-totaling 3.1 million square feet. The energy savings from these buildings total $2.4 million. This represents the equivalent of the yearly electricity use of 1,800 homes.

"Energy Star certified buildings are leading the way by advancing energy efficiency and making cost-saving improvements," said E.P.A. Regional Administrator Ron Curry. "Odessa's schools are taking advantage of these benefits, and giving students a real-life lesson in sustainability."

In excess of 25,000 buildings across America have earned EPA's Energy Star certification since 1999. The buildings have saved nearly $3.4 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions from the yearly electricity use of nearly 2.4 million homes.

Energy use in commercial buildings accounts for 17 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of In excess of $100 billion per year. Energy Star certified buildings are verified to perform better than 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide, and they use an average of 35 percent less energy and are responsible for 35 percent fewer emissions than typical buildings. Many common building types can earn the Energy Star, including office buildings, K-12 schools, hotels, and retail stores.

Energy Star is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For In excess of 20 years, people across America have looked to EPA's Energy Star plan for guidance on how to save energy, save money, and protect the environment. Behind each blue label is a product, building, or home that is independently certified to use less energy and cause fewer of the emissions that contribute to climate change.

Energy Star is the most widely acknowledged symbol for energy efficiency in the world, helping families and businesses save $300 billion on utility bills, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2 billion metric tons since 1992. Join the millions who are already making a difference at energystar.gov.

More on the 2015 top cities: www.energystar.gov/topcities

Search for Energy Star certified buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildinglist

More about earning the Energy Star label for commercial buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildingcertification

Connect with E.P.A. Region 6:
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eparegion6
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPAregion6
Activities in E.P.A. Region 6: http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.htm

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