In Alexander, Virginia, the 2000 students sat 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，在弗吉尼亚州亚历山大的T.C Willliams高中，有2000名学生在新教学楼上课。该教学楼是基于美国绿色建筑委员会的标准建造的。

The council is a nonprofit organization made up of building industry leaders. It has rating system for buildings called leadership in energy and environmental design, or LEED.

这个委员会是由建筑业的领导者组成的一个非盈利性组织。其建立了《绿色建筑评估体系》，或称为LEED。

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

在2001年，仅4所学校申请了LEED认证。现在，包括T.C Williams在内，共有400所学校提出了申请。至今，已有58所被认证合格。这包括对自然区域的保护、限制建筑材料中的化学品含量。其亦包括更好的采光以及改善室内空气质量。

Buildings are also rated on how well they use energy and waters, 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 nature light. Students say the sunny rooms help them stay awake during class. 

对建筑的分级标准还包括对能量及水源的利用情况和使用再生项目。 在T.C William中，一个绿色设计的例子就是透过窗户的自然光。学生说，阳光室使他们能在上课时保持清醒。