A 'Star' Is Born: LA Ranked 2nd On List Of Energy Efficient Cities
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Take a bow, Southern California: you're officially an "Energy Star".
Los Angeles ranked second on a list of the top 25 U.S. cities with the most energy efficient buildings in the nation, according to a new report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Washington, D.C. topped the list with 480 Energy Star-certified buildings as of 2014, compared with 475 in Los Angeles. Riverside came in 14th place with 127 energy efficient buildings.
The Energy Star certification - which verifies a building uses 35 percent less energy and emits 35 fewer emissions than typical structures - also resulted in cost savings over $155 million in L.A. and more than $19 million for Riverside, according to the EPA's Nahal Mogharabi.
Buildings eligible to receive the Energy Star certification include office buildings, K-12 schools, hotels, and retail stores, Mogharabi said.
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti told KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO he credits the Department of Water and Power with taking the lead when it comes to efficiency.
"We will go into any business and not only do the assessment of your business's energy use, but we will help implement the changes," said Garcetti.
A typical upgrade process includes tuning up the building systems, reducing lighting loads, addressing wasteful behaviors, leaky windows, poor insulation, and other similar issues, and improving air distribution systems, Mogharabi said.
Curious whether your building is Energy Star certified? Click here to find out.
