ATLANTA - The E.P.A. (EPA) has announced its eighth-annual "Top Cities" list, which ranks the 25 U.S. metropolitan areas with the most Energy Star certified commercial buildings in the preceding calendar year with Atlanta ranking fourth. The Top Cities list illustrates how cities across America are embracing energy efficiency as a proven path to financial savings and a healthier environment.
Energy Star labeled buildings in Atlanta achieved significant reductions in their energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions. These buildings represent in excess of 71 million square feet and will save in excess of $60 million annually in energy costs while preventing greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions of in excess of 52,600 homes a year. Energy Star buildings and plants are America's energy all-stars - they save more, use less and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"Every year, more cities and buildings are turning to energy efficiency to protect the environment and strengthen their local economies," said E.P.A. 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."
Public and privately-owned commercial buildings contribute roughly 16 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and cost American organizations and cities in excess of $100 billion per year in energy bills. Since 1999, in excess of 27,000 buildings across America have earned EPA's Energy Star certification, which signifies proven, superior energy performance. On average, these certified buildings use 35 percent less energy and are responsible for 35 percent fewer carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings. These buildings have saved in excess of $3.8 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions from the yearly electricity use of in excess of 2.6 million homes.
To be eligible for Energy Star certification, a building must be independently verified to perform better than at least 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide. Office buildings, schools, retail stores, supermarkets, hotels, and many other common building types are eligible to earn the Energy Star.
In addition to certifying top-performing buildings, Energy Star offers valuable tools and resources to help building owners and managers measure and enhance energy performance in virtually any type of building. Financial savings can be captured through low- and no- cost improvements, and larger upgrades typically pay for themselves within a few years.
To create the yearly list, E.P.A. tallies the number of Energy Star certified buildings within each metropolitan area, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. These areas include the city itself, as well as surrounding towns and suburbs.
The top 25 cities are:
Rank Metro Area 2015 Building Count
one Washington, DC 686
two Los Angeles 527
three San Francisco 355
four Atlanta 311
five New York City 303
six Chicago 281
seven Dallas-Fort Worth 249
eight Houston 231
nine Denver 215
ten Phoenix 190
eleven Boston 157
twelve 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, Ore. 74
21 Charlotte, North Carolina 71
22 Honolulu, Hawaii 69
23 Virginia Beach 63
24 Indianapolis 57
25 Austin 55
25 Louisville 55
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. Today, Energy Star is the most widely acknowledged symbol for energy efficiency in the world, helping families and businesses save $362 billion on utility bills, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2.4 billion metric tons since 1992. Join the millions who are already making a difference at energystar.gov.
More on the 2016 top cities: www.energystar.gov/topcities
Search for Energy Star certified buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildinglist
More about earning the Energy Star certification for commercial buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildingcertification
Connect with E.P.A. Region four on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion4
And on Twitter: @EPASoutheast
