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...

meant to say energy-star does NOT equal LEED certification.

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!