Sunday, April 30, 2023
Saturday, April 29, 2023
EPA Issues Emergency Fuel Waiver for E15 Sales
EPA Press Office:
EPA Issues Emergency Fuel Waiver for E15 Sales
EPA takes action to provide consumers relief at the pump by helping ensure an adequate fuel supply
WASHINGTON (April 28, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today is issuing an emergency fuel waiver to allow E15 gasoline — gasoline blended with 15% ethanol — to be sold during the summer driving season.
This action will provide Americans with relief at the pump from ongoing market supply issues created by Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine by increasing fuel supply and offering consumers more choices at the pump. The waiver will help protect Americans from fuel supply crises by reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels, building U.S. energy independence, and supporting American agriculture and manufacturing. Current estimates indicate that on average, E15 is about 25 cents a gallon cheaper than E10.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to protecting Americans from fuel supply challenges resulting from the ongoing war in Ukraine by ensuring consumers have more choices at the pump,” said Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Allowing E15 sales during the summer driving season will not only help increase fuel supply, but support American farmers, strengthen U.S. energy security, and provide relief to drivers across the country.”
The Clean Air Act allows the EPA Administrator, in consultation with DOE, to temporarily waive certain fuel requirements to address shortages. As a result of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Administrator Regan determined that extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances exist and has granted a temporary waiver to help ensure that an adequate supply of gasoline is available. As required by law, EPA and DOE evaluated the situation and determined that granting the waiver was in the public interest.
Currently, in roughly two-thirds of the country, E15 cannot be sold from terminals starting on May 1 and at retail stations starting on June 1. EPA is providing relief by extending the 1-psi Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver that currently applies to E10 gasoline to E15, which will enable E15 sales throughout the summer driving season in these areas, if necessary. This action only extends the 1-psi waiver to E15 in parts of the country where it already exists for E10. E15 can already be sold year-round in parts of the country that have a Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) program.
Because the RVP of E10 and E15 gasoline used by consumers will be the same (both will be 1 psi higher than otherwise required by EPA or state regulations) EPA does not expect any impact on air quality from this limited action. EPA’s research has shown no significant impact on evaporative emissions when the 1-psi waiver is extended to E15. With no significant impacts on emissions from cars and trucks, we expect consumers can continue to use E15 without concern that its use in the summer will impact air quality.
EPA’s emergency fuel waiver will go into effect on May 1 when terminal operators would otherwise no longer be able to sell E15 in the affected regions of the country and will last through May 20 which is the statutory maximum of 20 days. EPA will continue to monitor the supply with industry and federal partners, and the Agency expects to issue new waivers effectively extending the emergency fuel waiver until such time as the extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances due to the war in Ukraine are no longer present.
For more information on this announcement, please visit EPA’s Fuel Waivers webpage.
Contact: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)
Thursday, April 27, 2023
EPA Invests $41 million in New Technical Assistance to Help Communities Address Wastewater Challenges
EPA Press Office:
EPA Invests $41 million in New Technical Assistance to Help Communities Address Wastewater Challenges
This investment illustrates the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to changing the odds for underserved communities
WASHINGTON (April 27, 2023) – Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $41 million in new technical assistance funding under America’s Water Infrastructure Act to help communities address urgent wastewater challenges. The new funding, awarded to nine technical assistance providers across the country, will primarily help rural, small, and Tribal communities assess water needs, identify solutions, and access funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other federal programs. This action advances progress under President Biden’s EJ Strong Initiative by making a tangible difference in communities with legacy environmental justice concerns.
“Every person in every community deserves to have effective and dependable wastewater services,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “That’s why we are thrilled to invest $41 million in technical assistance for underserved small, rural, and Tribal communities that often lack this necessity. This is another way EPA is working to change the odds for disadvantaged communities and support investments in essential water infrastructure.”
Communities can request assistance by visiting the agency’s Water Technical Assistance webpage.
Many rural, small, and Tribal systems face unique financial and operational challenges, including aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, increasing costs, and declining rate bases. EPA’s grant funding will be used to assess communities most pressing challenges, provide training on water infrastructure and management best practices, help communities navigate the federal funding application process, and strategically invest in reliable infrastructure solutions.
The Rural, Small, and Tribal Technical Assistance providers serve an important role in helping to ensure that rural, small, and Tribal communities that have difficulty in securing public funding receive the help they need to access resources to support infrastructure improvements. These providers also support rural, small, and Tribal wastewater treatment systems – centralized and decentralized – to build technical, managerial, and financial capacity to operate their systems well and maintain compliance.
“Helping rural, small, and tribal communities is the mission of the National Rural Water Association, and we are thrilled EPA is expanding technical assistance nationally to meet critical wastewater needs,” said National Rural Water Association CEO Matthew Holmes. “Since 1977, NRWA has partnered with EPA to provide on-the-ground, direct assistance to small and rural communities. Today’s announcement substantially expands this assistance to include more underserved residents than ever, in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. We look forward to continuing our partnership with EPA, and applaud their commitment to ensure rural, small, and tribal systems receive the resources and support they need.”
“RCAP is thrilled to continue providing local on-site technical assistance and customized training to rural tribal nations, something we have been doing for fifty years across our nation,” said RCAP CEO Olga Morales Pate. “We appreciate EPA’s commitment to improving the quality of life in rural America, and we look forward to getting started on this critical work.”
The selected recipients for the Rural, Small, and Tribal Wastewater Technical Assistance Grant Program include:
Priority Area 1: Acquisition of Financing and Funding
These applicants will help rural, small, and Tribal communities plan for and access funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) and other sources.
· Southwest Environmental Finance Center-New Mexico
· Rural Community Assistance Partnership Inc.
· Hudson Valley Regional Council
Priority Area 2: Protection of Water Quality and Compliance Assistance
This funding will help rural, small, and Tribal communities improve their technical, managerial, and financial capacity and maintain compliance.
· New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission
· Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center
· Rural Community Assistance Partnership Inc.
· National Rural Water Association
· Southwest Environmental Finance Center-New Mexico
Priority Area 3: Tribal Wastewater Systems
This area provides training and technical assistance to tribes across all areas of their Clean Water Infrastructure.
· Rural Community Assistance Partnership Inc.
· National Rural Water Association
· Southwest Environmental Finance Center-New Mexico
Priority Area 4: Decentralized Wastewater Systems
More than one in five households in the United States rely on septic systems and other decentralized systems, and this priority area focuses on assistance to those communities.
· Des Moines Area Community College
· Rural Community Assistance Partnership Inc.
· National Rural Water Association
Priority Area 5: Lagoon Wastewater Systems
EPA estimates that lagoon wastewater treatment systems comprise about one-quarter of the wastewater treatment utility systems in the country; the funding will assist lagoon systems in improving water quality and achieving and maintaining compliance.
· Rural Community Assistance Partnership Inc.
· National Rural Water Association
Background
On June 24, 2022, EPA announced the Request for Applications (RFA) for the “Training and Technical Assistance for Rural, Small and Tribal Municipalities and Wastewater Treatment Systems for Clean Water Act Prevention, Reduction, and Elimination of Pollution” (EPA-OW-OWM-22-02). The period for submitting applications ended on August 22, 2022. Eligible applicants under this competition are public and private nonprofit organizations, subject to CWA 104(w), that are qualified and experienced in providing on-site training and technical assistance to rural, small, and Tribal municipalities and/or small publicly owned treatment works and/or decentralized wastewater treatment systems.
The Rural, Small and Tribal Clean Water Technical Assistance Grant Program was established by the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. The program aims to provide technical assistance to improve small wastewater system operations and management practices, making them more sustainable and resilient, and supporting EPA’s mission to protect public health and the environment.
Learn more about EPA’s Water Technical Assistance efforts.
Learn more about the tools, training, and resources for small, rural, Tribal wastewater systems.
Tesoro to Pay $27.5 Million For Violating Previous Court Order Requiring Them to Reduce Air Pollution at Their Martinez, Calif. Refinery
EPA Press Office:
Tesoro to Pay $27.5 Million For Violating Previous Court Order Requiring Them to Reduce Air Pollution at Their Martinez, Calif. Refinery
Settlement Will Result in Cleaner Air Due to Tesoro’s Forfeiture of Air Emission Credits
WASHINGTON (April 27, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice today announced that Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company will pay a $27.5 million penalty for violating a 2016 consent decree ordering the company to reduce air pollution at its petroleum refinery in Martinez, Calif. In particular, according to today’s settlement, Tesoro failed to limit air emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX), a pollutant that contributes to smog.
The settlement requires Tesoro to adhere to strict pollution controls at the facility. The facility is currently undergoing conversion into a renewable fuels plant, which will use renewable sources such as vegetable oils to produce fuels instead of crude oil. The settlement also sets up a framework for additional pollutant reductions, including significant climate co-benefits. Specifically, the settlement requires Tesoro to forego hundreds of annual emission credits that it could otherwise sell to area sources who could then increase their emissions.
“Tesoro did not meet the consent decree pollution limit because it did not install adequate pollution controls,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “As this settlement shows, EPA will seek substantial penalties when companies delay installing appropriate pollution controls to meet environmental obligations.”
“Today, we are holding Tesoro accountable for its failure to implement court-ordered pollution controls,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This settlement requires Tesoro to forfeit substantially more air emission credits than the excess emissions associated with its violations, resulting in cleaner air for those who live and work in the San Francisco area.”
“Tesoro failed to meet its requirement to reduce air pollution at the Martinez refinery, and EPA is now taking firm action to hold Tesoro accountable,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “This settlement ensures that Tesoro complies with stringent air pollution limits, to protect neighboring communities regardless of fuel type.”
In May 2020, Tesoro suspended operations at the Martinez refinery and then announced its plan to convert the refinery to a renewable fuels plant. Today’s agreement includes requirements to limit air pollution from the future renewable fuels plant. The agreement does not prohibit Tesoro from resuming petroleum refining, but if it does so, Tesoro must install specific air pollution control technology, at an expected cost of $125 million, to ensure stringent NOX emission limits are met.
To mitigate pollution resulting from its violation of the 2016 consent decree, Tesoro agreed to surrender most of its existing NOX emission trading credits. Tesoro also agreed to forego almost all trading credits from the shutdown of petroleum refining equipment should it convert to a renewable fuels plant. A company can receive emission credits by shutting down equipment and then apply such credits to offset emissions from new projects or trade such credits to other companies for their use. By requiring Tesoro to surrender existing credits and forego petroleum-related shutdown credits if it converts to a renewable fuels plant, the settlement prevents Tesoro and other local sources from using these credits. Thus, the settlement filed today will limit emissions in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Specifically, if Tesoro resumes petroleum refining, the settlement requirements will reduce annual air emissions by about 261 tons of NOX. If Tesoro converts the facility to a renewable fuels plant, the settlement will result in annual air emissions reductions of about 440 tons of NOX, 327 tons of sulfur dioxide, 697 tons of carbon monoxide, 69 tons of volatile organic compounds, 301 tons of fine particulate matter, and the equivalent of 1,342,025 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
The terms of a 2016 federal consent decree, which resolved Clean Air Act violations at the Martinez refinery and five other refineries nationwide, established emission limits for multiple pollutants including NOX. The settlement announced today, which will modify the 2016 settlement, includes new requirements that apply whether Tesoro chooses to reopen the Martinez facility as a petroleum refinery or a renewable fuels plant.
There will be a 30-day public comment period on the modification to the 2016 settlement. Information on how to comment on the modification will be available in the Federal Register and on the Department of Justice’s website: www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.
For more information on the 2016 federal consent decree and today’s agreement, go to 2023 Tesoro Martinez Clean Air Act Settlement Information Sheet | US EPA.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $400 Million Grant Program to Fund Clean School Buses that Reduce Emissions and Protect Children’s Health
EPA Press Office:
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $400 Million Grant Program to Fund Clean School Buses that Reduce Emissions and Protect Children’s Health
Latest funding from the President’s Investing in America Agenda follows nearly $1 billion for thousands of electric and low-emission school buses across the nation
Contact Information: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)
SEATTLE (April 26, 2023) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of at least $400 million in grants for cleaner school buses, reducing harmful pollution and protecting children’s health. Under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, funding from EPA’s Clean School Bus Program will improve air quality in and around schools and communities, save schools money, create good-paying clean energy jobs and reduce greenhouse gas pollution, protecting people and the planet.
The grants are made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides an unprecedented $5 billion to transform the nation’s fleet of school buses. This is the first round of funding available as grants and follows the nearly $1 billion the Biden-Harris Administration awarded through the rebate competition last year to fund electric and low-emission school buses across school districts.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, White House Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu, Senator Bob Casey (PA) and Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced the funding in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, where the local school district is set to receive 15 new electric buses thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda.
“Today we’re taking another key step toward reducing climate pollution and building a healthier future where all of our children have the clean, breathable air that they deserve,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is already transforming school bus fleets across the nation, passing on cost savings to districts while improving air quality. With new grant funding available, we will accelerate our work to transition to electric and low-emission school buses further and faster than ever before.”
“President Biden and Vice President Harris believe our kids deserve cleaner school buses, which will improve the health of communities and reduce emissions,” said Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor to the President and White House Infrastructure Coordinator. “Communities will also benefit from cleaner air and energy savings by replacing old, dirty diesel school buses with cleaner alternatives.”
“Clean school buses mean that students are breathing cleaner air and districts are saving money. This commonsense solution is a win-win,” said U.S. Senator Bob Casey (PA). “With more grants to come this year and in the years to follow, more communities in Pennsylvania and across the Nation will get this opportunity to set students up for a healthier and brighter future — all thanks to the infrastructure law.”
“Running these clean, green buses will reduce harmful pollution, improve air quality in and around schools and communities, save money and reduce greenhouse gas pollution,” said U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08). “This unprecedented investment will protect the safety and well-being of our most treasured resources: our children and our planet.”
About the Clean School Bus Grant Competition
The $400 million grant opportunity through EPA’s Clean School Bus Program will fund electric, propane, and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses that will produce either zero or low tailpipe emissions compared to their older diesel predecessors.
These emission reductions will result in cleaner air for students riding the buses, bus drivers, school staff working near the bus loading areas, and the communities the buses drive through each day. Beyond the community, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from these bus replacement projects will help to address the outsized role of the transportation sector on climate change.
EPA is prioritizing applications that will replace buses serving high-need local education agencies, Tribal school districts funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs or those receiving basic support payments for students living on Tribal land, and rural areas. In addition, EPA is committed to ensuring the Clean School Bus Program delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative to ensure that at least 40% of the benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities. Large school districts with communities of concentrated poverty also will be prioritized if their proposal focuses on clean school buses serving those communities.
Eligible applicants for this funding opportunity are (1) state and local governmental entities that provide bus service; (2) public charter school districts, (3) Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, or Tribally-controlled Schools, (4) Nonprofit School Transportation Associations, and (5) Eligible Contractors (including OEMs, Dealers, School Bus Service Providers, and Private Bus Fleets).
Applicants have two options to apply:
- Applicants seeking to serve a single school district can apply through the School District Sub-Program to request a minimum of 15 school buses and up to a maximum of 50 school buses
- Applicants seeking to serve at least four school districts can apply through the third-party Sub-program to request between 50 school buses and up to a maximum of 100 school buses.
EPA will provide a combined funding amount to cover both bus and infrastructure costs for all awardees requesting electric school buses. Prioritized applicants may apply for up to $395,000 when applying for larger school buses and associated infrastructure, and other applicants may apply for up to $250,000 for larger school buses and associated infrastructure. To encourage federal funding to support the replacement of as many buses as possible, EPA will also offer points in the competition to those who can offer voluntary funding through public-private partnerships, grants from other entities, or school bonds.
The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to investing federal dollars in a responsible way that drives high-quality job creation and inclusive economic growth. EPA worked closely with the Department of Labor to ensure this program also supports the workforce needed to support a clean energy economy. Applicants will be asked to describe their plans to conduct workforce planning to ensure current drivers, mechanics, and other essential personnel receive training to safely operate and maintain the new buses, as well as clarify protections to ensure existing workers are not replaced or displaced.
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure must be installed by electricians certified by the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) or a comparable program approved by the Department of Labor. Funding from the Clean School Bus program can also be used to support workforce training and certifications such as EVITP. EPA is also working with clean school bus manufacturers to improve transparency around the high-quality jobs being created across the country.
This 2023 Grant Program is separate from the earlier 2022 Rebate Program, and interested applicants must apply to the Grant Program if interested in this funding opportunity. Grant applicants may submit proposals after the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) which is publicly posted at EPA's Clean School Bus Program webpage. This is a competitive program where applicants will be scored based on how well their proposal meets the criteria set forth within the NOFO. The Clean School Bus Grant Program will be open for 120 days and close on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. Questions about applying may be directed to CleanSchoolBus@epa.gov.
President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is growing the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out – from rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good-paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.
To learn more about the grant program, applicant eligibility, selection process, and informational webinar dates, visit EPA's Clean School Bus Program webpage.
Here is what they are saying about the Clean School Bus grant program:
As the wheels of the new, clean school buses go round and round, carbon emissions and pollution is gonna keep going down and down,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (NY). “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law I led to passage as majority leader, over $400 million in grants are now available to help transform school bus fleets across America and put our students on the road to a brighter future and a cleaner commute. I am proud to announce this funding that will accelerate our transition to electric and low-emission school buses, fighting climate change and ensuring our kids have the clean breathable air they deserve.”
“Investments in clean school buses are investments in cleaner air, healthier communities, and good-paying jobs,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper (DE), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “Thanks to the historic funding that we provided in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA has been able to supply school districts across our country, especially those in communities most impacted by pollution, with grants to purchase American-made clean school buses. Today’s announcement represents another step forward in our fight to reduce our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, more than a quarter of which come from the transportation sector.”
“With more than 400,000 diesel school buses on the road, investments in clean transit solutions are critically important. By expanding the national clean school bus fleet, we are taking a significant step in improving public health and reducing childhood asthma,” said U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes (CT-05). “I am pleased the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the 2023 Clean School Bus Grant Program to help more communities nationwide transition to electric school buses. This $400 million grant program will give school districts the resources needed to finally achieve low or no emissions school buses across the country. I look forward to working with the Administrator on this effort and am committed to ensuring students have clean and safe commutes to school.”
“Last year, under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, Democrats made historic investments to deliver clean energy and improve air quality by passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act,” said U.S. Representative Tony Cárdenas (CA-29). “The IIJA included the Clean School Bus Program, an initiative I led in Congress, to replace old diesel buses with new, cleaner buses. I am proud to join Administrator Regan in announcing this $400 million grant program, which will help meet the growing demand for school bus electrification. Children in communities like the one I grew up in are more likely to be exposed to polluted air, leading to higher rates of respiratory illnesses. This grant program is necessary to ensure healthier, cleaner futures for our children — no matter their zip code. With this announcement, the Biden-Harris Administration is demonstrating to the American people that they will continue prioritizing the health and well-being of our children, building a cleaner and better future, and investing in America.”
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Seattle, Portland among 2023 Top Cities for ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings
EPA Press Office:
Seattle, Portland among 2023 Top Cities for ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings
SEATTLE — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing its annual “Top Cities” list, spotlighting the cities with the greatest number of ENERGY STAR certified commercial and multifamily buildings in 2022. In EPA Region 10, Seattle ranks 13th and Portland ranks 24th on the list this year.
Coming in at first place for the fourth year in a row, Los Angeles leads with nearly 750 ENERGY STAR certified buildings. In second place is Washington, D.C. with 555 buildings, followed by Atlanta in third place with 376 buildings.
“In many cities, a majority of greenhouse gas emissions results from the energy used by buildings,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I applaud this year’s top cities, as well as the owners and managers of each ENERGY STAR certified building in them, for taking real action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help America address the climate crisis.”
Commercial buildings are responsible for 16% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and spend more than $190 billion per year on energy. In many cities, buildings are the largest contributor of emissions — responsible for 30% to more than 70% of a city’s total emissions. ENERGY STAR certified buildings use an average of 35% less energy and are responsible for 35% less carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings.
First released in 2009, EPA’s list of cities with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings shows how buildings across America are embracing energy efficiency as a simple and effective way to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To create the annual list, EPA tallies the number of ENERGY STAR certified buildings within each metropolitan area, as defined by the U.S. Census, which includes the city itself as well as surrounding suburbs. EPA creates separate rankings for mid-sized and small cities. This year’s list includes buildings that earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR during the year 2022. This year’s Top Cities are:
Top 25 Cities Overall
| Rank | Metro Area | Building Count | Last Year's Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | 748 | 1 |
| 2 | Washington DC | 555 | 2 |
| 3 | Atlanta | 376 | 3 |
| 4 | San Francisco | 343 | 4 |
| 5 | New York | 256 | 6 |
| 6 | Riverside | 230 | 18 |
| 7 | Denver | 230 | 8 |
| 8 | Dallas | 221 | 5 |
| 9 | Chicago | 221 | 7 |
| 10 | Boston | 205 | 10 |
| 11 | Houston | 198 | 9 |
| 12 | Tampa | 184 | 15 |
| 13 | Seattle | 180 | 13 |
| 14 | San Diego | 170 | 11 |
| 15 | Austin | 168 | 12 |
| 16 | Minneapolis | 156 | 14 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 131 | 16 |
| 18 | San Jose | 110 | 16 |
| 19 | Charlotte | 105 | 19 |
| 20 | Miami | 94 | 20 |
| 21 | Sacramento | 88 | 23 |
| 22 | Philadelphia | 76 | 22 |
| 23 | Orlando | 64 | 24 |
| 24 | Portland | 63 | n/a |
| 25 | Raleigh | 59 | n/a |
| 25 | Cincinnati | 59 | 25 |
Top 10 Mid-Sized Cities
| Rank | Metro Area | Building Count | Last Year's Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh, N.C. | 59 | 3 |
| 2 | Des Moines, Iowa | 49 | 9 |
| 3 | Provo, Utah | 47 | 2 |
| 4 | Grand Rapids, Mich. | 37 | n/a |
| 5 | Bakersfield, Calif. | 35 | n/a |
| 5 | Salt Lake City, Utah | 35 | 8 |
| 5 | Louisville, Ky. | 35 | 4 |
| 8 | Boulder, Colo. | 31 | 6 |
| 8 | Milwaukee, Wis. | 31 | n/a |
| 10 | Visalia, Calif. | 27 | n/a |
Top 10 Small Cities
| Rank | Metro Area | Building Count | Last Year's Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson, Mich. | 41 | 1 |
| 2 | Sioux City, Iowa | 16 | 3 |
| 3 | Punta Gorda, Fla. | 13 | n/a |
| 4 | Dubuque, Iowa | 12 | n/a |
| 5 | Saginaw, Mich | 11 | 7 |
| 5 | Carson City, Nev. | 11 | 4 |
| 7 | Elizabethtown, Ky. | 10 | 4 |
| 7 | Midland, Mich. | 10 | n/a |
| 9 | Owensboro, Ky. | 9 | n/a |
| 10 | Richmond-Berea, Ky | 8 | n/a |
Across the country, more than 7,000 commercial buildings earned the EPA’s ENERGY STAR last year. As of the end of 2022, nearly 41,000 buildings across America have earned ENERGY STAR certification. Together, these buildings have saved $5.4 billion on energy bills and prevented more than 22 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions — equal to the annual emissions of more than 2.7 million homes.
To earn the ENERGY STAR, a commercial building must achieve an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher on EPA’s 1 – 100 scale, indicating that it is more energy efficient than 75% of similar buildings nationwide. A building’s ENERGY STAR score is calculated based on a number of factors, including energy use, hours of operation, and a variety of other operating characteristics.
- More on ENERGY STAR Top Cities, including this year’s ranking of top small and mid-sized cities, as well as last year’s rankings.
- Search for ENERGY STAR certified buildings.
- More about earning the ENERGY STAR certification for commercial buildings.
- More about EPA’s ENERGY STAR program.
About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations — including nearly 40% of the Fortune 500® — rely on their partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs and achieve 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.