WASHINGTON (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) – Texas' four major metros are among the 25 U.S. cities that boasted the most Energy Star–certified buildings last year.
Houston had 145 such buildings, the most of any Texas city, ranking it third on the list, which was compiled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Dallas–Fort Worth ranked fifth with 126 buildlings.
Austin, with 77 buildings, ranked 13th, and San Antonio, with 56, ranked 16th.
In 2008, more than 3,300 commercial buildings and manufacturing plants nationwide earned the Energy Star, representing savings of more than $1 billion in utility bills and more than seven million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. These buildings include schools, hospitals, office buildings, courthouses, grocery stores, retail centers and auto assembly plants.
According to the EPA, the energy efficient buildings in Texas' four large metros resulted in a total savings of $130.7 million. The emissions savings were equivalent to the electricity used by 109,000 households.
The EPA's complete list is available online.
