New York City’s Empire State Building was awarded LEED Gold certification for existing buildings.

“By earning LEED Gold, the Empire State Building has sent a powerful message that green buildings don’t have to be new – even the most iconic, historic buildings, as grand in scale as in reputation, can be among the most high-performing, energy-efficient, green buildings,” says Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of USGBC.

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The second tallest building in the world, Taiwan’s Taipei 101 skyscraper, has been named the world’s tallest LEED Platinum building.

Though the restoration venture was expensive, the outcome is worth every penny. “We started improving energy efficiency in 2007 and in the three years to 2010, we have already made that money back,” said Cathy Yang, vice president of the tower division of Taipei 101.

It’s incredible to see a seven-year-old skyscraper awarded LEED platinum certification – the highest level of achievement in the LEED system.

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The Camp Pendleton Wounded Warrior Battalion – West’s Barracks is the Marine Corps’ first LEED-certified Platinum building.

This $24.6 million, 66,464 square-foot barracks will serve as a rehabilitation facility and home for Marines who are part of the Wounded Warrior Battalion-West, offering soldiers healthy indoor air quality and other green building benefits as they convolesce. The facility will also offer the Marine Corps significant savings–38% over the energy costs associated with a traditional facility of this size–totalling over $40,000 a year.

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