OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The headquarters of the Air Force Weather Agency here recently became the first facility in the Air Force to earn a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold rating by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The Lt. Gen. Thomas S. Moorman facility earned its gold rating in the "Version 2.1" LEED New Construction category. Buildings with advanced energy efficiency can earn basic, silver, gold or platinum certifications under the LEED Green Building Rating System.

"We couldn't be prouder of our new facility," said Col. John Murphy, AFWA commander. "Its construction and design is truly an example for the rest of the Department of Defense and earning the gold rating is a testament to everyone who helped make it become a reality."

The 188,000 square foot headquarters building, which is home to more than 650 AFWA personnel, is also the largest facility in the Air Force to earn a LEED rating at any level.

"The Air Force is a U.S. government environmental and energy conservation leader, reducing facility energy usage by 30 percent in recent years and is the number three U.S. green power user on the Environmental Protection Agency's top 25 list," said Brig. Gen. Timothy A. Byers, Air Combat Command's Director of Installations and Mission Support. "The LEED gold certification for this building is a perfect example of everyone from users, designers, contractors, builder and the Air Force working together as a team on an environmental friendly and energy efficient building. This showcases our commitment to fully support the mission while protecting human health, safety and the environment."

The facility's green design and specifications help the agency use 50 to 60 percent less energy than a typical building of this type. This includes reducing water consumption by more than 20 percent, improving environmental efficiency of heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, improving recycling capabilities and employing the latest energy efficiency practices to conserve electricity.

The building was designed by Kenneth Hahn Architects and built as a military construction project for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, by the Kiewit Building Group.

AFWA personnel began transitioning to the new facility in May and it was officially dedicated on Aug. 22.