EPA Highlights Cities With the Most Energy Star Buildings

LENEXA, Kan. — Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and San Francisco top the latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) list of U.S. cities with the most Energy Star-certified commercial and multifamily buildings.

The EPA on May 30 announced its annual Top Cities lists, spotlighting cities that had the greatest number of Energy Star commercial and multifamily buildings in 2023. In addition to a Top 25 list, the EPA separately listed the top mid-sized cities and the top small cities.

The EPA credited Los Angeles with 876 Energy Star-certified commercial and multifamily buildings that, together, account for more than 174 million square feet of floor area. Second-place Washington had 631 certified buildings covering just over 169 million square feet.

Provo, Utah, which heads the list of top mid-sized cities, had 125 certified buildings, and Jackson, Michigan, first on the list of small cities, had 34. Provo and Raleigh, N.C., which is second on the mid-sized cities list, are also among the Top 25.

“Cities and communities play an essential role in fighting the climate crisis and reducing energy use in commercial and multifamily buildings,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With help from Energy Star, city leaders and building owners are working together to strengthen their economies and businesses, reduce energy bills, and create a healthier environment.”

The energy used by commercial buildings is responsible for 16% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and costs more than $190 billion per year, according to the EPA. Energy Star-certified buildings use an average of 35% less energy and are responsible for 35% less carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings, the EPA said.

First released in 2009, the lists of cities with the most Energy Star-certified buildings shows how building owners across the U.S. are embracing energy efficiency as a simple and effective way to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the EPA said.

To create the lists, the EPA tallies the number of Energy Star-certified commercial and multifamily buildings within each metropolitan area, as defined by the U.S. Census, and creates separate rankings for mid-sized and small cities. For purposes of the lists, each city includes its surrounding suburbs. This year’s lists include buildings that earned Energy Star status during 2023.

Across the country, more than 8,800 commercial buildings earned Energy Star status last year.

As of the end of 2023, more than 43,000 buildings had earned Energy Star certification. Together, these buildings have saved nearly $6 billion on energy bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions of more than 23 million metric tons — equal to the annual emissions of more than 3 million homes.

To earn certification, a commercial building must earn an Energy Star score of 75 or higher on the EPA’s 1-100 scale; a building’s score represents the percentage of similar buildings nationwide above which that building is more energy efficient. A building’s Energy Star score is calculated based on several factors, including energy use, hours of operation, and a variety of other operating characteristics.