IOWA – According to the statement, the Iowa’s public schools helped Des Moines and Sioux City metro areas rank near the top nationwide this year in energy-efficient buildings.
The Environmental Protection Agency said Des Moines ranks third nationally among mid-sized cities, with 48 buildings certified last year as Energy Stars.
This means that these buildings use 35% less energy and release 35% less carbon dioxide than typical structures.
The Des Moines buildings saved the owners and occupants $2.2 million in energy bills and prevented the equivalent of 18,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from being released into the atmosphere.
Sioux City ranks third nationally among small cities, with 19 highly efficient buildings that saved the owners $963,000 and prevented 7,700 metric tons of carbon emissions.