According to an ‘energy-efficient commercial buildings’ list recently compiled by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Los Angeles area took the top spot among metropolitan regions with energy-efficient buildings, followed by Washington D. C. area in the second place and the San Francisco area in the third.

Under its ‘energy-efficient buildings’ program, the EPA essentially makes a comparative analysis of the energy consumption of buildings that fall in a similar category; and those buildings which are rated in the top 25 percent make the grade for the agency’s “Energy Star” label.

The latest EPA data, based on voluntary submissions from owners of commercial buildings, showed that the San Francisco area fell one rank fron its second position last year – with 173 San Francisco-area buildings having qualified for the EPA’s “Energy Star” rating, vis-à-vis the 2008 figures of 194 buildings that met the EPA energy-efficiency criteria.

Meanwhile, with Washington climbing two places from its fourth position last time round, Cliff Majersik - executive director of the D. C.-based energy-efficiency-related nonprofit group, Institute for Market Transformation – said: “This will come as a surprise to many people outside of Washington because they don't think of Washington as a green city.”

Majersik further added that Washington’s high ranking can largely be attributed to a 2008-passed District law which has made it mandatory for building owners to publicly disclose the energy costs of their property.