Washington, DC and Atlanta follow closely after, the Agency goes on to detail

Apr 12, 2014 20:21 GMT  ·  By
US EPA releases new list of metropolitan areas that accommodate for the most Energy Star-certified buildings
   US EPA releases new list of metropolitan areas that accommodate for the most Energy Star-certified buildings

Earlier this week, the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States released its sixth annual list of the 25 metropolitan areas in the country that are home to the most Energy Star-certified buildings, and Los Angeles is the one to have secured the top spot.

The Agency explains that, in order to become Energy Star-certified, buildings much improve on their ecological footprint by implementing measures intended to optimize power use and consequently reduce electricity consumption.

On its website, the Environmental Protection Agency details that, according to recent estimates, energy use in commercial buildings presently accounts for about 17% of the United States' greenhouse gas emissions and needs be linked to a yearly cost of over $100 billion (€71.99 billion).

Energy Star-certified buildings use about two times less energy per square foot (0.09 square meters) than regular ones do, and also cost some $0.50 (€0.35) less per square foot to operate. This means that having many such Energy Star-certified buildings in an urban area yields noteworthy financial and environmental benefits.

“Not only are the ENERGY STAR top 25 cities saving money on energy costs and increasing energy efficiency, but they are promoting public health by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions from commercial buildings,” Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy said in a statement.

“Every city has an important role to play in reducing emissions and carbon pollution, and increasing energy efficiency to combat the impacts of our changing climate,” Gina McCarthy went on to argue.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Los Angeles came to secure the first position on its 2014 list of cities accommodating for the most eco-friendly buildings due to the fact that this urban area presently houses nearly 450 Energy Star-certified buildings.

The city is followed closely by Washington, DC, Atlanta, New York, San Francisco, and Chicago. Should anyone want to know which the other cities with the most Energy Star-certified buildings are, the Environmental Protection Agency's complete list is available below.

It is estimated that, by the end of 2013, over 23,000 building in the United States earned an Energy Star certification. The Agency says that, just last year, these buildings, together with products and homes sporting the same certification, helped the country save over $30 billion (€21.59 billion) on utility bills.

Besides, these improvements in the energy efficiency of homes, buildings, and products are said to have helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equal to the annual electricity consumption of over 38 million homes.

The 2014 Energy Star Top Cities:

1. Los Angeles 2. Washington, D.C. 3. Atlanta 4. New York City 5. San Francisco 6. Chicago 7. Dallas 8. Denver 9. Philadelphia 10. Houston 11. Charlotte, N.C. 12. Phoenix 13. Boston 14. Seattle 15. San Diego 16. Minneapolis 17. Sacramento, Calif. 18. Miami 19. Cincinnati 20. San Jose, Calif. 21. Columbus, Oh. 22. Riverside, Calif. 23. Detroit 24. Portland, Ore. 25. Louisville, Ky.