As it should be, Washington is leading by example with its green construction now declared the best in the nation by the EPA.
A new report from the Environmental Protection Agency put D.C. at the top of a list of cities with the most “Energy Star” buildings, followed by Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York.
The agency said that Washington has 480 of the energy efficient buildings. It added that the energy reducing technologies in the buildings would provide enough electricity to power over 73,000 homes.
“Cities across the country are saving billions every year through partnering with our Energy Star program and increasing energy efficiency, while doing their part to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “This is the type of leadership we need from city leaders and building owners who are demonstrating that increasing energy efficiency strengthens local economies, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps preserve a healthy planet for future generations.”
Commercial businesses cough up 17 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $100 billion per year, she added.
EPA said 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.”
The top 25 cities are:
1. Washington, D.C. – 480 buildings
2. Los Angeles – 475
3. Atlanta – 328
4. New York – 299
5. San Francisco – 292
6. Chicago – 251
7. Dallas-Fort Worth – 248
8. Houston – 235
9. Denver – 195
10. Boston – 176
11. Phoenix – 165
12. Philadelphia – 158
13. Seattle – 149
14. Riverside, Calif. – 127
15. Minneapolis-St. Paul – 122
16. Charlotte – 95
17. San Diego – 92
18. Miami – 90
19. Sacramento – 89
20. Virginia Beach – 81
21. Detroit – 80
22. San Jose – 70
23. Austin – 65
23. Portland, Ore. – 65
24. Louisville – 59
24. Tampa – 59
25. Salt Lake City – 55
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
