Exciting (but not Surprising) News– Boston is Leader in Green Building

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow

This just in from the EPA New England Regional Office: Boston Makes the Top Dozen of U.S. Cities with the Most Energy Star Certified Buildings!

BOSTON – Today the EPA released its a list of U.S. cities that had the most certified Energy Star buildings in 2015. As you could probably expect, Boston is included in this list, and “recognized for its continuing commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions and save money through energy efficiency.”

In 2015, we were number 11 position among the list of top 25 U.S. metropolitan areas.  Boston had 157 buildings that were Energy Star certified. This is equivalent to cutting greenhouse gas emissions from 38,000 passenger vehicles, and saving more than $75 million in annual utility bills.

The cities that triumphed over us were Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, New York City, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Denver and Phoenix. 

“Every year, more cities are turning to energy efficiency not only to protect the environment, but also to strengthen their local economies.  Boston is demonstrating that energy efficiency is a cost-effective way to improve public health and build a brighter future for their youngest residents,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office.

From the EPA—

Energy use in commercial buildings accounts for 16 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $100 billion per year. Since 1999, more than 27,000 buildings across America have earned EPA’s Energy Star certification, which signifies proven superior energy performance. On average, these certified buildings use 35 percent less energy and are responsible for 35 percent fewer carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings. These buildings have saved more than $3.8 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions from the annual electricity use of more than 2.6 million homes. Many common building types can earn the Energy Star, including office buildings, K-12 schools, hotels, and retail stores.

For more than 20 years, American citizens have looked to EPA’s Energy Star program for guidance on how to save energy, save money and protect the environment. Behind each blue label is a product, building, or home that is independently certified to use less energy and cause fewer of the emissions that contribute to climate change. Today, Energy Star is the most widely recognized symbol for energy efficiency in the world, helping families and businesses save $300 billion on utility bills, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by two billion metric tons since 1992.

You can view the report here!

Quotes taken from EPA New England Office, photo taken from Energy Star website.