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USGBC Reveals Top Cities for Green Office Buildings

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For the second year in a row, Chicago, IL, was named the greenest U.S. city with 69.8 percent of its office buildings green certified, Energy Manager Today reports.

The ranking, according to the fifth annual U.S. Green Building Adoption Index, listed San Francisco, CA, second; Atlanta, GA, third; Los Angeles, CA, fourth; and Minneapolis, MN, fifth. Green office buildings in the Unites States hold either an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star Label, a U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, or both.

“From moving to 100 percent renewable energy in our public buildings, to supporting our private partners as they work to reduce emissions, Chicago is showcasing to the world the impact that cities can have on climate change for their residents and for people around the world,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in a city press release. “This national recognition is a testament to the progress and success of our efforts to improve our environment while bettering communities across Chicago.”

As the EPA is looking for continued improvement in energy efficiency it has changed its calculations for Energy Star scoring this year. This change is expected to lower the scores for office buildings next year and may have a significant impact on next year’s Green Building Adoption Index rankings.

Green buildings and green cleaning go together in creating a healthier environment for facility tenants and a more sustainable footprint for the environment. Learn the benefits and basics of green cleaning.