All News Releases By Date

Boston Ranks in Top 25 U.S. Cities with the Most ENERGY STAR Buildings

Release Date: 03/03/2009
Contact Information: Laura Poirier, (617) 918-1079

(Boston, Mass. - March 3, 2009) – In a list of U.S. metropolitan areas with the largest number of energy efficient buildings that have earned EPA’s Energy Star designation, Boston placed in eleventh place. Across New England, 100 buildings earned the Energy Star label in 2008, with 79 of them located in the Boston metropolitan areas.

Energy Star labeled buildings in New England achieved significant reductions in their energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions. These award-winning buildings represent over 33 million square feet, and will save an estimated $50 million annually in lower energy bills, and avoid over 140,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. This is equal to almost 90,000 vehicles off the road. Energy Star buildings and plants are America’s energy all-stars – they save more, use less and help reduce green house gas emissions.

“Across New England, businesses and organizations are taking concrete steps to help protect our environment and save themselves money through energy efficiency,” said Ira W. Leighton, acting regional administrator for EPA’s New England office. “To earn an Energy Star label, facilities practice innovation and sound management.”

In 2008, the number of Energy Star qualified buildings and plants across the U.S. is up more than 130 percent from 2007- totaling more than 3,300 buildings and plants in 2008. Across the country buildings and plants have saved more than $ 1.1 billion in energy costs and reduced more than 7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions- savings equal to the electricity use of more than 1 million homes for a year.

The Energy Star label is well known for home appliances, electronics, and other products that meet strict EPA performance levels for energy efficiency. The good news is that the buildings where we work, shop, and learn can also earn EPA’S Energy Star label.

Boston placed eleventh on the list of U.S. metropolitan areas with the most new Energy Star buildings in 2008, This list was headed by Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Washington, D.C., Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis-St Paul, Atlanta, and Seattle.

"With over 18 million square feet of commercial property throughout New England, Jones Lang LaSalle has risen to the challenge,” according to Peter DeLuca, managing director, Jones Lang LaSalle Property Management. “We're making a measurable impact in energy conservation. Working with our national Energy and Sustainability Group, we continue to explore new energy conserving technologies.”

Commercial buildings account for almost 18 percent of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Building owners can earn the Energy Star label when they score in the top 25 percent on EPA’s energy performance rating system which calculates scores based on actual energy use. With interest in energy efficiency growing, Energy Star offers easy-to-use tools and guidelines that can help building owners and managers in the United States realize significant energy and dollar savings.

“The Energy Star designation is a reflection of the energy efficiency and focus on sustainable operations in this building. We have always been focused on energy efficiency,” stated Peter V. See, Sr. V.P. of Property Management at Boston Properties. “The Energy Star Award really quantifies and acknowledges our performance in energy conservation which is more important than ever.”

With the possible infusion of new resources associated with the economic recovery stimulus package, states and localities are well positioned to reap the financial and environmental savings possible by improving the energy performance of their buildings in their communities. EPA, through Energy Star, offers the only national energy performance rating system for buildings in the U.S. The key is to measure what you manage and Energy Star is the tool to do just that.

A joint program of EPA and the Dept. of Energy, Energy Star is a voluntary partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency.

More information:

- Profiles of selected Energy Star buildings in New England: https://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/energy/es-labeled-buildings.html

- Energy Star buildings and plants, sorted by state: (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=LABELED_BUILDINGS.showBuildingSearch)

- Energy issues in New England (https://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/energy/index.html)