The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is recognizing Jackson as having the highest number of energy efficient buildings for a city of its size nationwide.
This is the second consecutive year that Jackson has topped the EPA's list of energy star-certified buildings in small cities.
Energy star-certified buildings use, on average, 35% less energy and contribute 35% less carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan says these cities play an essential role in reducing energy use in commercial and multifamily buildings.
To earn the EPAs ENERGY STAR rating, a commercial building must earn an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher on the EPAs 1 – 100 scale, indicating that it is more energy efficient than 75% of similar sized buildings nationwide.
When calculating a building’s ENERGY STAR score, multiple factors are taken into account. Those include hours of operation, energy use, and occupancy.
Other Michigan cities that placed in the regional list include Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Saginaw.