PORTLAND — The Portland International Jetport will become only the second commercial airport in the nation to receive LEED Gold certification, which rates the design, construction and operation of “green” buildings.

San Francisco Airport’s Terminal 2 was the first U.S. airport to receive Gold certification. The expanded Portland International Jetport, designed by Gensler, uses material from the region and boasts the largest geothermal heating and cooling system in the state. The $75 million, 145,000-square-foot terminal expansion was completed last year.

LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – was established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute.

The LEED rating system offers four certification levels for new construction — Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum — that correspond to the number of credits accrued in five green design categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.

The certification will be awarded on Wednesday. Portland Mayor Michael Brennan, among other dignitaries, will be in attendance.


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