June 24, 2009
CHICAGO (AP) - The Sears Tower will undergo a $350 million green remodeling effort at the 110-story skyscraper, including wind turbines, green roofs and solar panels.
Owners and architects said Wednesday that the plan will reduce electricity use in the building by 80 percent and save 24 million gallons of water a year.
Plans also include construction of a 50-story, 500-room luxury hotel next door.
Building officials say the project should take five years to complete and create 3,600 jobs.
The famous skyscraper is to be renamed Willis Tower later this summer. Officials say they'd like to achieve "LEED" status, otherwise known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
It's a standard monitored by the U.S. Green Building Council.
~ Environmental Protection Agency