The City of Apache Junction has recently received the United States Green Building Council’s “Heavy Medal” LEED certification award. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for energy conservation and sustainability.

According to City Manager George Hoffman, “LEED is a voluntary, market driven program. It is all about creating healthy spaces for employees and the public.”

The award ceremony was hosted by Paul Horton from Channel 5 News in Phoenix, and city of Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton who was the keynote speaker at the event.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods that make economic sense.

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and spearheaded by Robert K. Watson, Founding Chairman LEED Steering Committee from 1995 until 2006, LEED is intended to provide building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.