Metro Atlanta is near the top of a list of cities with the most energy efficient buildings certified by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Among the 25 largest U.S. metro areas, Atlanta ranked 3rd for most “Energy Star”-designated buildings last year, the EPA said.
Such buildings use an average of 35 percent less energy and are responsible for 35 percent less carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings, the EPA said. The 318 structures in metro Atlanta include office buildings, schools, hotels and retail stores.
The EPA says the Energy Star buildings in Atlanta will save more than $53 million annually in energy costs and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions of 52,500 homes.
Atlanta ranked 5th in 2012, 3rd in 2011, 6th in 2010, and 9th in both 2009 and 2008.
“Every city has an important role to play in reducing emissions and carbon pollution, and increasing energy efficiency to combat the impacts of our changing climate,” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said in releasing the report.
The two cities with more “Energy Star” buildings than Atlanta are No. 1 Los Angeles (443) and No. 2 Washington D.C. (435).
Los Angeles is also near the top of the list of most air-polluted cities, tying for 4th with another California city, Hanford-Corcoran, according to the American Lung Association. Atlanta ties with Phoenix for the No. 18 on the Lung Association list.
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