Dorm earns national environmental award Published March 16, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Daniel Phelps 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. -- Shaw Air Force Base's newest Airmen's dorm, building 421, has earned the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The award was presented in a ceremony here March 16. The dorm earned the distinction for a number of reasons, including: Procuring construction materials from regional sources, High use of recycled materials in construction, and Use of geothermal wells to support room and water heating for the facility. First Lt. Natalie Chounet, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron programs flight deputy commander explained this reduces the energy requirement from outside sources, prevents cross-contamination of a legacy environmental clean-up site, and does not drain any natural resources. Building 421 is one of 50 in the state of South Carolina to have LEED certification, said Jenny Wiedower, executive director for the South Carolina chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. Buildings are subject to third party review to decide certification. Building 421 is the second project to receive this certification here, added Lieutenant Chounet. The library was the first to earn it. Such certification is now a requirement for all new military construction projects as of 2009, the lieutenant noted. "Green buildings save a lot of money for the Air Force," said Col. Dean Anderson, 20th Fighter Wing vice-commander.