Mar 23 - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News - Shanna Hogan The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz.

Scottsdale has received the governor's top award for energy efficiency for its landmark Green Building Program.

The award recognizes the city's effort to conserve energy and pioneer renewable resources in municipal construction projects.

"It was a real honor to receive this award," said Mayor Mary Manross, who was presented with the Award of Excellence during a ceremony luncheon on Tuesday.

"We've worked extremely hard -- now we're considered the leader nationally in green building and sustainable development."

In 1998, Scottsdale was the first Arizona city to launch such a program.

It's designed to reduce the environmental impact of building while saving energy, water and other natural resources.

Last year, Scottsdale became the first city in the nation to adopt stringent national standards for all new city buildings.

Currently, the city is spending $500,000 in three planned buildings -- a senior center, fire station and police support building -- to bring them up to those standards.

Scottsdale expects to recoup that money in energy savings.