DFW commercial buildings on EPA's top 25 energy savings list

Dallas-Fort Worth ranks the No. 8 top city in the U.S. with the most Energy Star certified buildings in 2012, according to a list released today by the EPA.

For the fifth year in a row, Los Angeles continues to hold on to first place, with 528 buildings. Washington, D.C., with 462 buildings, is No. 2 followed by Chicago as No. 3, with 353 buildings.

Dallas-Fort Worth has 214 Energy Star buildings, a place behind No. 7 Houston, which has 241 Energy Star buildings. No other Texas cities ranked in the top 25.

New York was No. 4 and Atlanta, No. 5.

"Through their partnership with the EPA, the owners and managers of Energy Star certified buildings are helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions while saving on utility bills," said EPA Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe in a statement.

In 2012, more than 20,000 Energy Star certified buildings helped save more than $2.7 billion in annual utility bills while preventing greenhouse gas emissions equal to emissions from the annual electricity use of more than two million homes, the EPA said.

The EPA said it sees an increase in buildings applying for and earning Energy Star certification each year. The number of Energy Star certified buildings has increased 24 percent compared to last year, representing more than 3 billion square feet of floorspace nationwide.

In 2012, more than 8,200 buildings earned EPA’s Energy Star certification.

The EPA’s Energy Star program was launched in 1992.

_ Sandra Baker