Somebody left the lights on! Photograph via Shutterstock.
Washington, DC, is the third-most energy-efficient city in the US, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) reported Wednesday. DC finished behind New York and Boston but beat out San Francisco (No. 4) and Seattle (No. 5!).
DC also tops the group’s list of most improved cities. The city rose four spots since the last ranking in 2013.
“In the District, we know that being energy efficient is one of the most cost-effective ways to achieve our ambitious energy goals, cut carbon pollution, and create good paying jobs that put more residents on a pathway to the middle class,” DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a statement accompanying news of ACEEE’s report.
Energy efficiency, the report’s focus, means a building can maintain the same levels of cool and heat or lightbulbs can emit the same amount of light while using less energy than traditional heat systems or incandenscent lightbulbs.
ACEEE focuses on outreach and research to boost energy-efficient policies in the United States. In its biennial report, the organization scores cities in five policy areas: local government operations, community-wide initiatives, energy and water utilities, buildings policies, and transportation policies.
This year, Washington did especially well in the latter two categories, receiving a shout-out for Capital Bikeshare and a perfect score for stringency of and compliance with building energy codes.
Despite all this energy-efficiency optimism, ACEEE says cities still have work to do, especially because data collected by municipalities is “inconsistent, sporadic, and infrequent,” which makes assessment more difficult. Though DC’s data collection improved from previous years, ACEEE cautions that all cities have room for improvement. But, those green roofs sure are pretty.
Don’t Miss Another Big Story—Get Our Weekend Newsletter
Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday.
The District Is More Energy-Efficient Than San Francisco and Seattle
Rating has risen since 2013.
Washington, DC, is the third-most energy-efficient city in the US, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) reported Wednesday. DC finished behind New York and Boston but beat out San Francisco (No. 4) and Seattle (No. 5!).
DC also tops the group’s list of most improved cities. The city rose four spots since the last ranking in 2013.
“In the District, we know that being energy efficient is one of the most cost-effective ways to achieve our ambitious energy goals, cut carbon pollution, and create good paying jobs that put more residents on a pathway to the middle class,” DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a statement accompanying news of ACEEE’s report.
Energy efficiency, the report’s focus, means a building can maintain the same levels of cool and heat or lightbulbs can emit the same amount of light while using less energy than traditional heat systems or incandenscent lightbulbs.
ACEEE focuses on outreach and research to boost energy-efficient policies in the United States. In its biennial report, the organization scores cities in five policy areas: local government operations, community-wide initiatives, energy and water utilities, buildings policies, and transportation policies.
This year, Washington did especially well in the latter two categories, receiving a shout-out for Capital Bikeshare and a perfect score for stringency of and compliance with building energy codes.
Despite all this energy-efficiency optimism, ACEEE says cities still have work to do, especially because data collected by municipalities is “inconsistent, sporadic, and infrequent,” which makes assessment more difficult. Though DC’s data collection improved from previous years, ACEEE cautions that all cities have room for improvement. But, those green roofs sure are pretty.
Don’t Miss Another Big Story—Get Our Weekend Newsletter
Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday.
Most Popular in News & Politics
It’s Really Happening: Donald Trump to Leave DC on Wednesday Morning
The New York Energy Mogul Who’s Remaking an Eastern Shore Town
Here’s a Map of the “Capitol Green Zone” (AKA Inauguration Street Closures)
White House Staff Packs for Move Behind Trump’s Back
DC Inauguration Shutdowns: Everything You Need to Know About Metro, Roads, and Other Closures
Washingtonian Magazine
January 2021: Joe Town!
View IssueSubscribe
Get Us on Social
Get Us on Social
Related
Video From Fall Real Estate Market Update With Local Leaders
Washingtonian Real Estate Virtual Happy Hour
Videos from Washingtonian’s Wellness Day
Washingtonian Wellness Day
More from News & Politics
The NRA Declares Bankruptcy, Will Keep Offices in Fairfax for Now
Former Congressional Staffers Are Saying Thank You to Current Workers
“Stop the Steal” Protesters Could Be in DC by Early Saturday
How to Talk to Kids About the Attack on the Capitol (and Everything Else)
Looks Like There’s Only One Pro-Trump Rally Officially Planned for DC During Inauguration
DC Inauguration Shutdowns: Everything You Need to Know About Metro, Roads, and Other Closures
It’s Really Happening: Donald Trump to Leave DC on Wednesday Morning
Politico Announces Its New Playbook Team