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EPA Unveils Top Four Texas Cities with the Most Energy Star Buildings

Release Date: 03/03/2009
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Anthony Suttice at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(Dallas, Texas - March 3, 2009) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released a list of Texas metropolitan areas with the largest number of energy efficient buildings in 2008 that have earned EPA’s Energy Star.

The list is headed by Houston, followed by Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio. These four metropolitan areas had 404 Energy Star qualified buildings in 2008 which resulted in $130.7 million in energy cost savings.

“By making smart energy choices, Texans are saving millions of energy dollars each year,” said Larry Starfield, Acting EPA Regional Administrator. “Whether running a business, a school, or a household, getting the most out of our energy dollars just makes sense.”

In 2008, more than 3,300 commercial buildings and manufacturing plants earned the Energy Star – EPA’s label for high efficiency – 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.

The total number of Energy Star qualifying buildings and plants in the U.S. is now more than 6,200 with overall annual utility savings of more than $1.7 billion and the prevention of greenhouse gas emissions of more than 13 million metric tons a year – savings equal to the emissions associated with the electricity use of more than 1.8 million homes for a year.

Energy use in commercial buildings and manufacturing plants accounts for nearly half of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and nearly half of energy consumption nationwide. For more than a decade, EPA has worked with businesses and organizations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve energy through this voluntary, market-based partnership.

More about activities in EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/region6

To view a list of Energy Star buildings and plants, including those in the 2008 Top 25 cities: http://energystar.gov/buildinglist

To learn more about EPA’s Energy Star for buildings and plants: To learn more about EPA’s Energy Star for buildings and plants: http://energystar.gov/labeledbuildings

EPA audio file is available for 30 days at: https://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/audio.htm#audio030309_energystarbuildings