Top cities for certified energy-efficient buildings announced by EPA

Los Angeles had the most federally certified energy-efficient commercial and multifamily buildings of any city in the country last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on May 22. 

The agency has since 2009 compiled a list of cities with the largest number of buildings that meet Energy Star certification, an energy efficiency standard it administers. The agency says that Energy Star-certified buildings use, on average, 35% less energy than typical buildings and generate 35% less carbon dioxide emissions. 

Following LA on the list is Washington, D.C.; the two cities have jockeyed for first and second place since the EPA started publishing the list. New York City climbed the rankings to earn third place this year, compared with fifth in 2022. Atlanta and San Francisco came in fourth and fifth place respectively.

The EPA notes that it’s difficult to pinpoint why LA has been so successful at adding Energy Star-certified buildings over the years but says it could have something to do with the city’s energy policies. LA requires large commercial and multifamily buildings to use Energy Star’s Portfolio Manager tool to track and report annual energy and water use. The city also requires utilities to provide aggregated energy consumption data, which the EPA says helps buildings track and manage use. 

“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,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement.

The EPA launched Energy Star in 1992 to encourage the private sector to strive for greater energy efficiency. Almost 45,000 commercial buildings and industrial plants have earned certification since then, along with over 2.5 million homes and apartments.