总结：

In (Alexandria), Virginia, the two thousand students at T.C. Williams High School started classes last month in a new building. It was built as a 'green' school based on requirements from the United States Green Building Council.

上月，弗吉尼亚州亚历山大市T.C. 威廉斯高中的2000多名学生在它的新教学楼开始了学习，这所“绿色学校”是根据美国绿色建筑委员会的要求建造的。

The council is a nonprofit organization made up of building industry leaders. It has a rating system for buildings called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED.

该委员会是个非盈利组织，由各建筑行业的权威成员组成。它有一个名为LEED的能源和环境设计评估体系。

In 2001, there were 4 schools asking for LEED certification. Now there are 400, including T.C. Williams. So far, 58 schools have been recognized for meeting the requirements. These include protecting natural areas and limiting the amount of chemicals in building materials. They also include better lighting and improved indoor air quality.

在2001年，只有4年学校申请LEED证书。而现在已有400多所学校提出了申请，其中也包括T.C. 威廉斯高中。到目前为止，已有58年学校达到了LEED的要求，并通过了验证。LEED的要求包括建筑应保护自然环境、限制建筑材料中化学制品的数量以及改进照明、提高室内空气质量。

Buildings are also rated on how well they use energy and water, and on things like the use of recycling programs. At T.C. Williams, one example of green design can be seen in the many windows that let in natural light. Students say the sunny rooms help them stay awake during class.

（委员会）还按这样来评定建筑物的等级：能源和水的利用情况、物品的回收利用规划。在T.C. 威廉斯高中，有个例子可以看出它的绿色设计理念，即：有很多窗户可以让自然光直接照入。学生们也称阳光充足的教室可以使他们在上课时保持清醒。