SAN DIEGO, July 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) presented UC San Diego with a $7.2 million check representing energy efficiency incentives earned through implementation of 30 energy efficiency projects from 2010 to 2012. The total amount includes incentives earned by UC San Diego for energy efficiency efforts in 2010 ($330,000), 2011 ($2.5 million) and 2012 ($4.4 million).

Through the 30 projects implemented during a three-year period, UC San Diego has saved more than 21 million kilowatt hours (kWh), 2.1 million therms and reduced more than 2 megawatts (MW) of demand. That's the equivalent of removing more than 5,000 cars off the road, powering nearly 4,000 homes for a year, and preventing the emission of more than 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere.

"At UC San Diego, we are dedicated to finding sustainable solutions and it is an honor to have these efforts commended," said Gary C. Matthews, UC San Diego's vice chancellor for resource management and planning. "This recognition from San Diego Gas & Electric is a great example of how UC San Diego's commitment to energy efficiency and protecting the environment helps our campus control costs, conserve resources and contribute to a more sustainable future."

Caroline Winn, SDG&E's vice president of customer services, added, "The collaboration between UC San Diego and SDG&E demonstrates that by leveraging existing partnerships and resources, long-lasting positive impacts for the community and the campus can be achieved. We are proud to work hand-in-hand with UC San Diego to continue our work as sustainability leaders."

UC San Diego was recently honored as the Grand Champion in SDG&E's Energy Champion awards for implementing energy-efficiency measures to optimize energy performance across the campus. Optimizing facilities is a high priority at UC San Diego, with all new construction targeting LEED Silver certification or higher; the campus is already home to 14 buildings have met this certification. Renewable energy sources are also a critical component in the UC San Diego campus infrastructure.

UC San Diego and SDG&E are partners through the University of California/California State University/Investor Owned Utility Energy Efficiency Partnership program (UC/CSU/IOU Energy Efficiency Partnership). The partnership is a statewide program that includes the 33 UC and CSU campuses served by the four California investor-owned utilities. The partnership aims to achieve cost-effective, immediate and persistent peak energy savings support for campuses in completing energy efficiency projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The utilities work hand-in-hand with campuses to achieve goals of the UC Sustainability Policy and UC San Diego's Climate Action Plan.

SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and 860,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility's area spans 4,100 square miles. SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help customers save energy and money every day. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.  Connect with SDG&E's Customer Contact Center at 800-411-7343, on Twitter (@SDGE) and Facebook.

About UC San Diego
Innovation is central to who we are and what we do at the University of California, San Diego. Here, students learn that knowledge isn't just acquired in the classroom--life is their laboratory. UC San Diego is an academic powerhouse and economic engine, recognized as one of the top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report and ranked number one in the nation for public service by the Washington Monthly. Our location is unparalleled, our impact unmistakable. UC San Diego shapes minds, changes lives, launches industries and builds the future … one student, one discovery and one achievement at a time. Visit www.ucsd.edu for more information.

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SOURCE San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)