EPA issued its ranking of cities with the most Energy Star-labeledbuildings for the first time last year. Los Angeles took the top slot for the second year in a row. However, there has been some reshuffling withthe rest of the list--the District of Columbia moved up tosecond place; Denver and Chicago moved into the top five; and Lakeland, FLand New York City are new to the top 10.

Nearly 3,900 commercial buildings earned the Energy Star in 2009--representing an annual savings of more than $900 million in utilitybills and more than 4.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxideemissions. Some 9,000 buildings all together have earned thedesignation since it was introduced.

According to Peter Belisle, president of energy and sustainabilityservices at Jones Lang LaSalle, the Energy Star program helped thefirm save more than $100 million in energy costs on behalf of clientslast year. JLL manages 106 US commercial properties with the EnergyStar label totaling 43.7 million square feet in 19 states andWashington, DC.

Despite the recession, building owners are still making investments ingreen rehab and upgrades, Roger Platt, USGBC's senior vice presidentof global policy and law, told GlobeSt.com in an earlier interview.

More such investments will be possible if a bill proposed by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Mark Pryor (D-OR) to give commercial real estate owners financial incentives to make green or energy efficientretrofits becomes law. Styled after the auto industry's 'Cash for Clunkers' program, the billwould provide two means of financial incentives: a rebate program thatwould cover some of the cost of the equipment or materials and fundingfrom the Department of Energy to make low-interest loans to helpbuilding owners underwrite the rest of the investment.