With its energy-efficient lighting and a dual-flush toilet system that reduces cold water usage by 88 percent in the bathrooms, the new Rockingham County Courthouse complex is being touted as one of the leaders in green construction along the East Coast, the Greensboro News and Record says.

Lawns are irrigated with “reclaimed” water and prime parking spaces are marked for low-emission vehicles, the newspaper reported.

The $34 million building is the first judicial center on the East Coast to meet the benchmark for the construction of green buildings, as determined by the U.S. Green Building Council. The county is the first to earn the group’s gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, an internationally recognized symbol of excellence, according to the paper.

“It’s quite an achievement,” said Ashley Katz, a spokeswoman for the nonprofit told the newspaper. The commendation recognizes energy-efficiency, the use of resources and design innovations. It rewards cost-cutting and reducing carbon footprints.