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PROVO — The Environmental Protection Agency ranked Provo the top midsize city in the U.S. for most Energy Star-certified buildings, and 20th among all cities.
Salt Lake City also made the cut, coming in 10th on the midsize cities ranking.
To be Energy Star-certified, a commercial building must outperform 75% of similar buildings nationwide in terms of energy use. Certified buildings use an average of 35% less energy and produce 35% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than typical buildings.
"Provo's success is a collective effort," Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi wrote on her blog. "Our business leaders, building owners and managers have embraced the technical guidance, best practices and training necessary to make their buildings more energy efficient."
The vast majority of Provo's certified buildings are owned by the Provo School District.
There are some advantages to earning and maintaining an Energy Star certification. For one thing, it's a money saver — certified office buildings save 50 cents per square foot, compared to their peers. Certified buildings can also command higher market valuation and better financing terms, according to the EPA.
"Provo's ranking showcases our dedication to environmental stewardship and the economic and environmental benefits of reducing energy use," Kaufusi wrote.
For more information about securing an Energy Star certification, visit energystar.gov.
