Points for honesty

Houston surprised at own rank on EPA green-building list 4

The Houston Press, surprised by the city’s high ranking in the EPA’s recent list of metro areas with the most Energy Star-qualified buildings in 2008, called the agency to check things out. Turns out some of the listiness was based on voluntary reporting by building managers, which means, as Press blogger Richard Connelly put it, “It may be that we just like to brag about our green-ness more.”

Aaaaaand speaking of bragging and Houston (thanks, universe), today also brings “news” of the nation’s first eco-car wash. The company behind it, called Eco-Suds, has plans to expand to other locations in the Southwest and Southeast. While you wait, don’t forget to check out Umbra’s advice for keeping your car clean inside and out.

Katharine Wroth is a senior editor at Grist.

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  1. Tasermons Partner Posted 12:17 pm
    05 Mar 2009

    It should be pointed out...Energy star-certified / LEED certified.  Energy-star is much easier to obtain (though Houston DOES have more than a few LEED buildings as well).
    Second, many buildings in Houston (and Texas in general) can meet energy-star certification without even tryin'.
    It's a HOT state.  If ya want the AC to stay in, it better be energy efficient.
    Still, it's not like this is a bad thing at all...
  2. Tasermons Partner Posted 12:18 pm
    05 Mar 2009

    Sorry...meant to say energy-star does NOT equal LEED certification.
  3. cantypants Posted 3:42 am
    06 Mar 2009

    It should ALSO be pointed out...LEED certification is based on a design case, and ENERGY STAR labeling is based on actual performance of a building compared to a national baseline of commercial building energy consumption (CBECS database).  It may be "harder to get" LEED Certification, but don't shoot down the benefits of real performance measuring and tracking.
    We could go on about the differences between LEED and ENERGY STAR, but fact is, they are both good systems that help move the building industry in a great (green) direction.  
    Please don't scoff at the importance of measuring the REAL ENERGY PERFORMANCE of buildings!

  4. MattHerrick Posted 10:09 am
    02 Apr 2009

    They have a lot of wind power in Houston, too. Here is a similar ranking of cities, but more broad: http://photos.america.gov/maps/amgov/30145/greencities/.

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