The Top 10 Energy Star Cities in America

The EPA today recognized the top 10 cities in America for Energy Star buildings. According to the EPA, the number of Energy Star-qualified buildings across the U.S. is up by more than 130 percent from 2007. An Energy Star building uses 35 percent less energy and emits 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than an average building of comparable size. Energy Star ratings are not LEED certification, but they often go hand in hand, and the rating is a prerequisite for certain types of LEED.

California has the top spots on the list, with Los Angeles taking a commanding lead of 262 Energy Star buildings, conserving the equivalent emissions of 35,800 households. New York, Boston and Austin barely miss the top 10. For such an eco-conscious city, Portland, Ore. boasts only 45 Energy Star buildings, while Madison, Wis. rounds out the top 25 with 33 Energy Star buildings.

Below are the top 10, and after the jump, the full list.

1. Los Angeles, Calif.
2. San Francisco, Calif.
3. Houston, Texas
4. Washington D.C.
5. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
6. Chicago, Ill.
7. Denver, Colo.
8. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
9. Atlanta, Ga.
10. Seattle, Wash.
11. Boston, Mass.
12. New York, N.Y.
13. Austin. Texas
14. Detroit, Mich.
15. Milwaukee, Wis.
16. San Antonio, Texas
17. Philadelphia, Penn.
18. Charlotte, N.C.
19. Portland, Ore.
20. Grand Rapids, Mich.
21. Sacramento, Calif.
22. Phoenix, Ariz.
23. Miami, Fla.
24. Riverside, Calif.
25. Madison, Wis.