EL PASO, TX — Hunt Companies, Inc. and WestStar announce that WestStar Tower has achieved LEED certification to the Silver level. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence. Through design, construction, and operations practices that improve environmental and human health, LEED-certified buildings are helping to make the world more sustainable.

"It was important to us that the building represents the best building and sustainability techniques possible as we pave the way for future development in downtown El Paso," said Josh Hunt, Executive Vice President of Hunt.

WestStar Tower achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions in areas including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. Green buildings allow companies to operate more sustainably and give the people inside them a healthier, more comfortable space to work.

Some specific measures that were taken to achieve LEED Silver at WestStar Tower included indoor and outdoor water use reduction strategies, recycling of building materials, optimizing energy performance resulting in a 20.5 percent energy savings, and the use of low-emitting materials.

"The work of innovative building projects like WestStar Tower is a fundamental driving force in transforming the way our buildings are built, designed, and operated," said Peter Templeton, President and CEO, USGBC. "Buildings that achieve LEED certification are lowering carbon emissions, reducing operating costs, and conserving resources while prioritizing sustainable practices and human health. Because of WestStar Tower, we are increasing the number of green buildings and getting closer to USGBC's goal to outpace conventional buildings, while being environmentally and socially responsible and improving quality of life for generations to come."

More than 49,000 commercial and institutional projects are currently participating in LEED.