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Green Building Initiatives
King County has been a pioneer among government efforts to promote green building practices. Through the formation of its Green Building Team and programs designed to promote partnerships with local businesses and contractors, King County serves as a model for regional governments throughout the country.
The Department of Natural Resources and Parks has worked on the topic of green building for several years including participation in regional policy and planning efforts. They have also provided technical assistance and educational opportunities to both internal county departments and to the building industry through its green building outreach program.
Executive Order
In 2000, at the direction of Executive Ron Sims, King County’s Green Building Team was charged with developing an Executive Order to increase green building practices in King County capital projects. This order outlines the County’s commitment to these new practices—and is a model for similar efforts across the country.
Green Building Certification
When plans for KSC began, a widespread rating system for green building practices did not exist. Since then, the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Certification system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to encourage environmentally sound building practices in the private sector, is now the industry standard by which new developments are measured. Had LEED been around during KSC development and construction, KSC would have successfully qualified as a LEED-certified green building. In addition, King Street Center was also awarded the prestigious Energy Star label by the EPA for its use of energy conservation systems. The design and building community and other public sector agencies look to King County to continue to take the lead in demonstrating how green building can be successful.
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