The King County Earth Legacy Initiative celebrates the importance of protecting and enhancing our natural environment. The initiative outlines a number of innovative programs that are working hard to maintain the integrity of the region, as well as its quality of life.

"The local residents and businesses that I am recognizing today are true heroes demonstrating to others the kind of impact we all can make in preserving our natural environment for future generations," says King County Executive Ron Sims in bestowing the award. "Equity Office and Illumination Arts Publishing prove that local businesses can make a major impact on our environment."

Sims recognized Equity Office for its efforts to relieve regional traffic congestion by offering a new package of commute options designed to reduce traffic congestion for the 3,500 employees in the Bank of America Tower, Seattle's tallest building.

As part of the Bank of America Tower Commute Options Program, Equity Office is helping to subsidize this program for Bank of America Tower employers. This program is a partnership between King County Metro Transit, the City of Seattle, the Downtown Seattle Association and Equity Office Properties, owner and operator of the Tower; and is designed to alleviate building access and parking issues for employers, employees, and building guests.

"We are honored to receive King County's Corporate Earth Hero Award," says Patrick Callahan, senior vice president – Seattle Region of Equity Office. "We hope the Commute Option Program at Bank of America Tower will inspire further environmental change in our community."

Employers who choose to participate in the Tower program will receive discounts and incentives for participation in a variety of successful Metro and Sound Transit programs including Area FlexPass, Flexcar access, FlexPark enrollment, rideshare and carpool assistance, and bicycling support. Additionally, Equity Office will reimburse Bank of America Tower employees $100 for every FlexPass distributed, which combined with other incentives could save employers up to 60 percent a year on employee transportation costs.