BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Whatcom Educational Credit Union has broken ground on its new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified Real Estate and Commercial Loan Center. Honored guests included Mayor Mark Asmundson, County Executive Pete Kremen, Chamber of Commerce Chair Pat Rowe, Zervas Group Architects, Pearson Construction, WECU's President/CEO Wayne Langei, and Bellingham's Christ the King Pastor Grant Fishbook. The new "green" lending center will be 35% more energy efficient than a building constructed using conventional building practices. It will feature rain gardens and impervious paving which will help reduce storm-water runoff. The rain gardens will treat runoff, removing harmful pollutants and WECU will also install vegetated roofs to reduce and treat runoff and decrease cooling demands. The building will also feature lighting integration between daylight and electric lighting, a high efficiency mechanical system and an under-floor air distribution system will help make the building more energy efficient. WECU is the first privately funded LEED certified project in Bellingham.