For the third year in a row, Los Angeles had the most Energy Star–certified buildings in 2011, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) most recent list of the top 25 cities with Energy Star–certified buildings. Los Angeles continues to grow its Energy Star–certified property count, with a final count of 659 buildings in 2011, up from 510 certified buildings in 2010 and 293 in 2009. Atlanta gained ground in 2011, moving from sixth place in 2010 with 201 Energy Star–certified buildings to third place with 359 buildings in 2011. Riverside, Calif., and Boston cracked the top 10 for the first time, while Sacramento, Calif., fell from eighth place in 2010 to 12th place in 2011, and Detroit dropped from ninth place in 2010 to 20th in the 2011 list.

The EPA’s list was first compiled in 2008, and Los Angeles has been named the top city each year. To earn Energy Star certification, buildings must perform in the top 25 percent of similar buildings nationwide and must be independently verified by a licensed professional engineer or a registered architect. According to the EPA, Energy Star–certified buildings use an average of 35 percent less energy and are responsible for 35 percent less carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings.

The 2011 top 10 cities with their respective Energy Star–certified building counts are:

1. Los Angeles: 659 buildings with a total floor space of 130.8 million square feet and $149.8 million in annual cost savings

2. Washington, D.C.: 404 buildings with a total floor places of 104.3 million square feet and $118.6 million in annual cost savings

3. Atlanta: 359 buildings with a total of 78.7 million square feet and $55 million in annual cost savings

4. Chicago: 294 buildings with a total of 116.3 million square feet and $86.8 million in annual cost savings

5. San Francisco: 270 buildings with a total of 71.5 million square feet and $99.6 million in annual cost savings

6. New York: 261 buildings with a total of 105 million square feet and $135.5 million in annual cost savings

7. Houston: 231 buildings, with a total of 86.4 million square feet and $79.7 million in annual cost savings

8. Dallas-Fort Worth: 178 buildings, with a total of 50.8 million square feet and $39.2 million in annual cost savings

9. Riverside, Calif.: 164 buildings with a total of 15.4 million square feet and $17.9 million in annual cost savings

10. Boston: 161 buildings with a total of 44.1 million square feet and $61.1 million in annual cost savings

The complete list of the top 25 cities is online at energystar.gov/TopCities.