NEW YORK (REUTERS).- The U.S. Green Building Council gave the Bank of America Tower its highest rating for environmental performance and sustainability on Thursday, meaning New York City’s second-tallest building is also its greenest. The 54-story building completed in 2008 at a cost of $2 billion became the first commercial high-rise to win the “platinum” certification from the non-profit council that promotes environmentally friendly construction and design. The certification was based on water and energy efficiency, indoor air quality, the environmental friendliness of construction materials and other criteria. At 1,200 feet, it is the second tallest building in the city after the Empire State Building. Years before the building opened, Bank of America and developers from the Durst Organization decided to create an example at the corner of 42nd