EPA Announces 2023 Top Cities for ENERGY STAR Buildings

These buildings save millions of metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year.

• By Alex Saurman
• Apr 28, 2023

Cities in the U.S. are once again being recognized for their ENERGY STAR buildings.

This week, the EPA announced the top cities with the most ENERGY STAR buildings in 2022, according to a news release. More than 41,000 buildings in the U.S. were ENERGY STAR certified by the close of last year, saving more than 22 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

To be classified as an ENERGY STAR building, commercial buildings must achieve an ENERGY STAR score, which is calculated on characteristics such as energy use and hours of operation, of 75 or higher. These ranks include both commercial and multifamily buildings.

Coming in first, for the fourth time in four years, is Los Angeles. The second-most populated city in the U.S. earned this ranking with 748 buildings. Close behind, yet again, was Washington DC with 555 buildings, up 57 buildings from the year prior. Atlanta claimed third and San Francisco ranked closely behind at fourth. Both cities held the same rankings the year before. New York placed fifth, with 256 buildings.

"I am so proud that Los Angeles continues to lead in sustainability and energy efficiency,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in a news release. “We remain committed to furthering our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our buildings and to create a safer, healthier, and more livable Los Angeles."

According to the EPA, the top five mid-sized cities for ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings were, in order, Raleigh, North Carolina; Des Moines, Iowa; Provo, Utah; Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Bakersfield, California; Salt Lake City, Utah and Louisville, Kentucky all tied for fifth.

“In many cities, a majority of greenhouse gas emissions results from the energy used by buildings,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan in a news release. “I applaud this year’s top cities, as well as the owners and managers of each ENERGY STAR certified building in them, for taking real action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help America address the climate crisis.”