WASHINGTON - Energy Star status was conferred on more than 2,500 office buildings, schools, hospitals, and public buildings for superior energy and environmental performance in 2005 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The buildings, representing 482 million square feet of space, are saving an estimated $349 million annually in lower energy bills while meeting industry standards for comfort and indoor air quality. The buildings have also eliminated 1.8 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.

"President Bush and EPA are committed to improving the nation's energy outlook, in part, by encouraging common-sense energy efficiency conservation measures like Energy Star," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "I congratulate the owners of the Energy Star buildings - together we are defining a new generation of environmentally preferable buildings that make sense for our environment and the bottom line."

Energy Star-qualified buildings generally use up to 40 percent less energy than typical buildings, says EPA. Building owners earn the Energy Star by scoring in the top 25 percent on EPA's energy performance rating system. Scores are based on actual energy use.

Among the top performing buildings are 1,007 office buildings, 501 public schools, and 834 grocery stores. More than 200 hotels, hospitals, medical offices, and other buildings also earned the Energy Star.

Food Lion leads the list as owner of the most Energy Star buildings. Top-performing buildings are found in every state in the nation and the District of Columbia. The most Energy Star buildings are located in California, Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Colorado, and Ohio.

Energy Star is a government-backed program helping businesses and consumers protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. More than 7,000 organizations partner with EPA in the Energy Star program. In 2004 alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved $10 billion dollars and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 20 million cars.

For more information, visit www.energystar.gov.

Publication date: 02/13/2006