Salt Lake City has been ranked #25 in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2015 list of U.S. metropolitan areas with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings, coming in at #5 for all mid-size cities on the list.
The ranking confirms the City’s commitment to providing building owners and managers with the technical guidance, best practices, and training they need to make their buildings more energy efficient, save money and reduce carbon emissions.
"Salt Lake City is honored to be included among leaders in energy efficiency on EPA’s 2015 Top Cities list,” said Mayor Ralph Becker. "Through programs like Project Skyline, we’re working with our local business leaders to improve building efficiency and lower energy costs, which will help improve air quality and lead to a stronger local economy.”
Cities are ranked on the list according to how many buildings in their area achieved ENERGY STAR certification in 2014. To qualify for the ENERGY STAR certification, a building must earn a 1 – 100 ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher, indicating that it outperforms 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide. Salt Lake City had 25 buildings earn the ENERGY STAR in 2014, accounting for over $6.3 million in savings.
Salt Lake City continues to lead by example. In January, Mayor Becker issued an Executive Order to increase energy efficiency at City facilities. The order, which establishes Salt Lake City among leading cities nationwide, creates a multi-department Energy Management Steering Committee and requires City facilities to develop annual Energy Management Plans and track results.
The Executive Order is a cornerstone of Project Skyline, an initiative designed to dramatically cut energy waste in Salt Lake City’s buildings by accelerating investment in energy efficiency and raising public awareness of building performance. In 2014, Project Skyline kicked off with the Mayor’s Skyline Challenge, enlisting 20 businesses in a proactive effort to reduce building energy use. Learn more atSLCgov.com/ProjectSkyline.
“Salt Lake City’s ranking shows how America’s cities are leading the nation in cutting carbon emissions and fighting climate change,” said Jean Lupinacci, chief of the ENERGY STAR Commercial & Industrial program. “By embracing energy efficiency as a simple and effective pathway to reach their sustainability goals, these cities are demonstrating the tangible benefits that result from simple, cost-effective reductions in energy use.”
