Energy Star Building List Grew By 2,500 Last Year
More than 2,500 office buildings, schools, hospitals, and public buildings won Energy Star status from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for superior energy and environmental performance in 2005.
Energy Star buildings are found in every state and the District of Columbia. The most Energy Star buildings are located in California, Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Colorado, and Ohio.
EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson congratulated the owners of the Energy Star buildings, saying, “together we are defining a new generation of environmentally preferable buildings that make sense for our environment and the bottom line.”
Commercial buildings account for more than 17 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to the EPA.
Energy Star qualified buildings generally use up to 40 percent less energy than typical buildings. Building owners earn the Energy Star by scoring in the top 25 percent on EPA’s energy performance rating system. Scores are based on actual energy use.
Among the top performing buildings are 1007 office buildings, 501 public schools and 834 grocery stores. More than 200 hotels, hospitals, medical offices, and other buildings also earned the Energy Star.
Food Lion leads the list as owner of the most Energy Star buildings.
The 2005 buildings, representing 482 million square feet, are saving an estimated $349 million annually in lower energy bills while meeting industry standards for comfort and indoor air quality.
The buildings are preventing 900,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to emissions from 540,000 vehicles, the EPA said.
Energy Star is a government-backed program helping businesses and consumers protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. More than 7,000 organizations partner with EPA in the Energy Star program.
Provided by the Environmental News Service.