A U.S.EPA list ranks the cities leading the nation with the most energy efficient commercial buildings.
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."
FULL STORY: Washington, D.C. Takes No. 1 Spot on EPA’s Energy Star Top Cities List

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico
An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes
Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels
Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.
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