Summer is here, and for many, it’s time to hit the road and do some sightseeing. With the rising cost of gasoline and related environmental concerns, more and more people are beginning to move to electric vehicles, known as “EVs,” that are either fully electric or plug-in hybrids.
And, did you know, The Corning Museum of Glass has installed new charging stations in its Welcome Center parking lot to support these new vehicles? This makes the Museum a convenient place to stop for a break or as your final destination.
The four charging stations are located right off the Interstate 86 exit ramp and are available 24 hours per day. Travelers and visitors wishing to use the charging stations can access and monitor the chargers’ availability and the status of their vehicles charging through their smartphones using the ChargePoint network. The ChargePoint stations are Level 2, J1772, 6.6 kW stations. Costs for charging are $0.25 per KWH or approximately $3.30 for 2 hours. Of course, the time it takes to charge depends on the type of vehicle and its battery level.
While your car is recharging, you should also take time to recharge your own battery by visiting the Museum’s spacious galleries and taking in our new summer exhibits, like Past | Present: Expanding the Stories of Glass, where we explore the evolving stories of some of the unique objects in our collection. With breathtaking glass artworks, thrilling demonstrations, great food, and glassy gifts of all shapes and sizes in our Shops, you’ll find everything you need to help you relax and enjoy your visit to the fullest.
EV parking is just one element of the Museum’s continued push for sustainability. Several years ago, the Museum formed The Green Team, a group of staff from departments across the organization, to discuss and enhance green initiatives like how to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Then, in 2016, the Contemporary Art + Design Wing, the Museum’s newest gallery space, was awarded the LEED Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, which recognizes green building practices and design. The Museum’s certification was based on the building’s water and energy efficiency and its reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, but a unique feature of its sustainable design is also the gallery’s lighting. Lit by LED lighting and 1000 skylights, the gallery is a harmonious mix of natural light, shade, and energy-efficient bulbs. This reduction in energy and cost has since prompted a transition to LED use throughout the Museum.
To learn more about the Museum’s many green initiatives, visit our website.
So, why not visit The Corning Museum of Glass this summer to plug in and unplug for a while. You’ll be blown away by what you see and how you feel!