FARMINGTON – Two “green” buildings at the University of Maine at Farmington have received certification from the United States Green Building Council.

The Education Center and Frances Allen Black Hall, a student residence building opened in 2006, have been certified for using financially viable alternatives to traditional building methods. They also represent the University’s commitment to environmental stewardship and to graduating responsible global citizens who care about the environment, according to a news release from the college.

Leadership in Energy and Environment Design certification verifies that a building project meets the highest green building and performance measures. There are four levels of certification: platinum, gold, silver and certified.

Green building practices offer financial and environmental benefits including reducing harmful greenhouse gas and emissions, reducing waste and conserving natural resources, lowering operating costs and creating healthier living environments.

UMF’s $8.8 million Education Center received silver certification and was designed to serve as an ecological teaching tool.

“We’re thrilled with the Education Center’s energy performance,” said Theodora J. Kalikow, president of UMF. “In a year that has seen national energy prices increase dramatically, the center has proven to save 70 percent in annual energy costs compared to a structure of similar size built with traditional building methods in the 1970s.”

The energy savings result from the 44,000 square foot center’s major green component – 42 geothermal wells, each 400 feet deep, that take advantage of the steady temperature underground to warm and cool air for the building’s heating and cooling.

Additional green features include the use of construction materials with recycled content, interior materials and furnishings that do not emit indoor pollutants and a sustainable landscape design.

Frances Allen Black Hall, a $4.5 million residence hall, was the university’s first “green” building to receive LEED certification with a “certified”status.

FAB Hall qualified based on a number of green features including development of the building site with the least amount of environmental impact, using more than 10 percent recycled construction materials and nearly 35 percent locally available construction materials, and increasing thermal efficiency by approximately 25 percent by using rigid insulation on the building’s exterior.

The 32,000 square foot, 102 bed, suite-style residence hall includes green components on the inside such as recycling stations on each floor, sensor lighting throughout the building and low toxin-emitting carpet, paint and sealant.