SAN DIEGO — The Timken Museum of Art was recently presented with the 2014 EPA Battle of the Buildings Energy Star award by Gina McCarthy, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Kevin Faulconer, mayor of San Diego. The museum, located in San Diego’s historic Balboa Park, was recognized for reducing its energy use by more than 50 percent, preventing more than 80 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from being released into the environment.

As part of its effort to reduce energy use, the museum converted 50-year-old light fixtures to advanced LED lighting and installed new timers, dimmers, and sensors. More than 5,500 buildings across the U.S. competed in the fifth annual Energy Star Battle of the Buildings: Team Challenge. Together, the competitors saved more than $50 million, cut their energy use by more than 2 billion kBtus, and prevented more than 250,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions — equal to the annual energy use of more than 37,000 homes.

The museum’s efforts support the city of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan (CAP), which identifies measures to effectively meet greenhouse gas reduction targets for 2020 and 2035. Energy and water efficient buildings are one of five strategies listed under the city’s CAP to achieve the targets. Other strategies include increasing clean and renewable energy, zero waste, and climate resiliency.

Known as San Diego’s “jewel box” of fine art, the Timken Museum of Art in San Diego is home to the Putnam Foundation’s significant collection of European old masters, 19th century American art, and Russian icons. The collection also includes the only Rembrandt painting on public display in San Diego.

Publication date: 6/22/2015

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