WASHINGTON -- The Environmental Protection Agency listed Washington as one of the top-performing regions when it comes to energy-efficient buildings.
D.C. placed fourth on the agency's 2008 list of the 25 metropolitan areas with the most Energy Star buildings. The Energy Star designation is given to buildings that are ranked in the top 25 percent in energy efficiency in the U.S. and generally use 35 percent less energy and emit 35 percent fewer greenhouse gases than average buildings.
According to the EPA list, released last week, D.C. has 136 such buildings.
The rating results from several measures the city has taken to encourage green building, an Energy Star program spokeswoman said.
Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston took the top three spots on the list.
