L.A. Again Ranks #1 in Energy Star Buildings

The Los Angeles area has more Energy Star-certified buildings than any other in metropolitan area in the nation, according to a ranking released by U.S. the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday.   

Los Angeles was the top-ranked city for a fourth year in a row. Riverside, San Diego and San Francisco also made the EPA's list of top 25 cities.   

More than 930 Energy Star-certified buildings were tallied in Southern California metro areas in 2011. The buildings save an estimated $186 million in utility bills, EPA officials said.   

Energy Star is an effort created by the EPA 20 years ago with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency.   

"More and more organizations are discovering the value of Energy Star as they work to cut costs and reduce their energy use," EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said. "This year marked the twentieth anniversary of the Energy Star program, and today Energy Star certified buildings in cities across America are helping to strengthen local economies and protect the planet for decades to come."  

To make the list, commercial buildings must perform in the top 25 percent of similar buildings nationwide in energy efficiency.   

Energy Star-certified buildings certified by a licensed professional engineer or registered architect, use an average of 35 percent less energy and are responsible for 35 percent less carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings.  

Buildings that qualify for the list included office buildings, K-12 schools, and retail stores, among others.   

The top ten cities, in order, are:

•   Los Angeles
•   Washington, D.C.
•   Atlanta
•   Chicago
•   San Francisco
•   New York
•   Houston
•   Dallas-Fort Worth
•   Riverside
•   Boston 

A full tally of the top 25 cities can be found: http://www.energystar.gov/TopCities