Appalachian State University's Reich College of Education building has been awarded the LEED Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council and Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).

LEED certification is conferred on buildings that have incorporated green methods in their design, construction and operations such as water and energy efficiency, and used materials and resources that are respectful towards the environment

Reich College of Education, a 124,547-square-foot building, features energy efficient lighting, a green vegetative roof, reflective roofing to reduce high solar reflectivity and cooling costs, water-conservation plumbing, water efficient landscaping, solar hot water panels, and an energy-efficient heating and air conditioning system.

In addition, materials employed in most of the buildings have been recycled and manufactured or harvested regionally such as floor coverings and wood panels.

The building's energy efficiency is estimated to save around $4.4 million for the next 20 years.

This is not the first time the Appalachian building has received a LEED certificate. Three years ago, Frank Residence Hall was the first building to earn a Gold certification and Mountaineer Residence Hall obtained Gold for Homes certification last year.

The three LEED certificates seem to have propelled the university to continue its efforts toward sustainability. There are other buildings awaiting certification including Summit Residence Hall, Plemmons Student Union addition, Brad and Carole Wilson Honors and Engagement Community's academic wing.

The sustainability drive was initiated in 2007 when the Board of Trustees passed a resolution requiring that all new buildings and major renovations qualify the LEED silver standards.

Other colleges such as Allegheny and Daemen have also adopted similar practises to attain LEEDS certificates.