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Philadelphia Ranks 14th In Number Of Green Buildings
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released their annual ranking of the number of green buildings in major cities showing Philadelphia ranked 14th in EPA's top 25 cities.
The 125 Energy Star certified buildings in Philadelphia resulted in $26.5 million in savings. Philadelphia ranked 24th last year.
“I am thrilled that the City was named by the EPA as one of the top 25 U.S. cities with Energy Star certifications. For three years, the City Administration worked hard with stakeholders and governmental partners to encourage energy efficiency through Greenworks Philadelphia and our many groundbreaking initiatives and partnerships. I will continue to advocate for energy savings as part of our effort to make Philadelphia the greenest city in the United States,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter.
"It’s gratifying to see that building owners in the region are increasingly taking advantage of the Energy Star program, which helps to promote the smart steps they are taking to save on energy use and costs," said Katherine Gajewski, City of Philadelphia Director of Sustainability.
"When it's more important than ever to cut energy costs and reduce pollution in our communities, organizations across America are making their buildings more efficient, raising the bar in energy efficiency and lowering the amount of carbon pollution and other emissions in the air we breathe," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "Through their partnership with Energy Star, metropolitan areas across the U.S. are saving a combined $1.9 billion in energy costs every year while developing new ways to shrink energy bills and keep our air clean."
Energy use in commercial buildings accounts for nearly 20 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $100 billion per year. Commercial buildings that earn the Energy Star must perform in the top 25 percent of buildings nationwide compared to similar buildings and be independently verified by a licensed professional engineer or registered architect each year.
Energy Star certified buildings use 35 percent less energy and emit 35 percent less carbon dioxide than average buildings. Fourteen types of commercial buildings can earn the Energy Star, including office buildings, K-12 schools, and retail stores.
For more information, visit the Energy Star certified buildings and plants webpage. |
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3/21/2011 |
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