U.S. EPA Announces 2014 Energy Star Top Cities: D.C. Tops

According to a U.S. EPA press release, "the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its seventh-annual list of the top 25 U.S. metropolitan areas with the most Energy Star certified buildings in 2014. This year, Washington, D.C., debuts in the top spot with 480 buildings."

The improvement of energy efficiency in commercial properties around the country continues to be an important policy target for carbon emissions reduction. According to the press release, commercial buildings account for 17 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

Following Washington, D.C. in the top five are Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, and San Francisco. Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. swap positions compared to last year's list.

As for the impact of the Energy Star program, according to the press release, "[m]ore than 25,000 buildings across America have earned EPA’s Energy Star certification since 1999. The buildings have saved nearly $3.4 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions from the annual electricity use of nearly 2.4 million homes."