The Twin Cities rank eighth on a list of cities  with the most Energy Star qualified buildings in the nation. (Isn’t it a little odd that they treat our two big cities as one.)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) list has Los Angeles and San Francisco as the top two.

EPA’s national energy performance rating system provides a 1 to 100 scale that helps organizations assess how efficiently their buildings use energy, compared with similar buildings nationwide. A building that scores a rating of 75 or higher is eligible for the Energy Star. Commercial buildings that can earn the ENERGY STAR include offices, bank branches, financial centers, retail stores, courthouses, hospitals, hotels, K-12 schools, medical offices, supermarkets, dormitories and warehouses.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak responded to the survey immediately: “We are in a position to set an example for other cities across the country while making it easier for our own residents and businesses to conserve resources and help fight climate change. This recognition from EPA demonstrates our building owners’ and operators’ commitment to environmental stewardship and long-term money savings by lowering their energy costs.”