Virginia Ranks No. 1 in LEED Certifications in 2012

WINCHESTER, VA- Going green is more than just a saying in Virginia. It's becoming a way of life. The Commonwealth has ranked number one in the country for LEED certifications.

"What's happening is, the commercial buildings are becoming LEED certified," says Nathan Webb, an architect with Reader & Swartz Architects. "They're pushing the limit in terms of technology and that is filtering down."

LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design has multiple categories that buildings have to meet to become certified, from energy to water efficiency.

Local architects have been designing buildings for years that meet LEED standards.

The Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum is one of the latest projects in the valley that's moving Virginia to a more sustainable direction. Reader and Swartz specializes in LEED certified buildings. Their latest project is the new museum.

"We're re-using as much as possible," says Mary Braun, Executive Director at the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum. "Doors, toilets, sinks, lights, vent systems, heating equipment, anything that still has value. Even the face plates on the walls."

The museum managers hope to be LEED certified once the renovation is complete. They say the first and most important aspect of their project is using an already existing building.

"We're not tearing it down and building a news structure," says Webb. "That's a huge thing in the eyes of the LEED program."

They've also prepared a green roof which will double as a garden and water mitigation system for their part of the city.

"When it rains, that green roof will absorb the water," Webb says. "It will retain it for a while and release it into the sewer slowly so you don't get big floods."

It's an advancement that's bringing more opportunities for sustainability to the area.