LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally recognized green building certification system. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in March 2000, LEED provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical, measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.

From the onset of the Assurity Center project, Assurity, its architects and builders were committed to developing a project that would adhere to the highest ideals of sustainability and environmental responsibility.

"Our vision for the Assurity Center reflects our strong commitment to the Lincoln community to construct a building that will add to our community's architecture and be a sustainable, environmentally friendly facility," Assurity Chairman, President and CEO Tom Henning said when the project was announced.

Assurity Center is one of the first privately owned major office facilities in Nebraska designed according to LEED Gold standards. The formal application process for LEED certification is under way.

LEED promotes sustainable building and development practices through a suite of rating systems that recognize projects designed to implement strategies for better environmental and health performance. The LEED rating systems are developed through an open, consensus-based process led by LEED committees, diverse groups of volunteers representing a cross-section of the building and construction industry.