I am proud of Portland, Oregon's--my hometown--leadership as America's Sustainability Capital. And thanks to the Port of Portland, we just acquired another symbol of that sustainability. The Port of Portland is one of five major consolidated port authorities in the United States and one of the greatest economic engines of our region. It operates an international airport, a major seaport, general aviation airports, and several thousand acres of industrial property. And for the first time, its entire administrative workforce will be housed in one location, a beautiful new structure that's not only iconic but is also cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and expecting to be certified LEED Gold. Virtually every employee has access to natural light, sits in open visible cubicles, including the executive director, and is surrounded by the kind of sustainable development features that Oregon is known for. All of the building's wastewater is treated using a ``Living Machine,'' a sort of indoor wetlands, and the water is reused in restrooms and the cooling tower. There are 200 pipes sunk 340 feet into the ground to use the Earth's temperature to dramatically lower the energy costs required to heat and cool the building.…
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