California Energy Commission Awards $23 Million to Help California Food Processors

For Immediate Release: September 12, 2024

SACRAMENTO - The California Energy Commission(CEC) has awarded $22.6 million in grants to help seven food producers in the state reduce energy use and cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The grants, which were approved September 11, are funded through the Food Production Investment Program (FPIP), which is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that uses cap-and-trade dollars to help reduce GHG emissions, strengthen the economy, and improve public health and the environment.

FPIP helps food producers adopt commercially available and emerging energy-efficiency, decarbonization, and renewable energy equipment upgrades or processes. It also funds technologies that support grid reliability during net peak periods.

"We're proud to support the food processing industry's efforts to modernize its equipment to reduce harmful emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy," said CEC Chair David Hochschild. "These grants invest in projects that will help California continue to lead the way towards a clean energy future for all."

Food manufacturing has traditionally been highly energy- and carbon-intensive. Food processing plants account for more than 3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent of annual GHG emissions in California, according to the California Air Resources Board.

"This is an important program for rural communities," said California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross. "Food and beverage processing adds value to our crops, brings jobs, and provides many other community benefits. It is exciting to witness the momentum this program has created to invest in innovative plant technologies that lower emissions, improve water use efficiency, and make sound business sense."

Since the FPIP was established in 2018, the CEC has awarded almost $140 million for 63 projects in 22 counties across the state.

The grants support seven companies in five counties. Recipients include:

Aspire Bakeries LLC - $710,000 to replace a refrigeration system at a bakery in Los Angeles County.

BSREP III California Infill Santa Fe LLC - $5 million to replace refrigeration systems at a cold storage facility in Los Angeles County.

Innovative Cold Storage Enterprises, Inc. - $4 million to replace refrigeration systems at a warehouse cold storage facility in San Diego County.

Joseph Gallo Cheese Company LP - $4.4 million to replace a refrigeration system at a dairy production facility in Merced County.

Primex Farms, LLC. - $5 million to install a solar-powered microgrid and a battery energy storage system at a pistachio processing facility in Wasco County.

Producers Dairy Foods, Inc. - $2 million to install a refrigeration and compressed air system at a processing facility in Fresno.

Rich Products Corporation - $1.5 million to replace a refrigeration system at a frozen dough, crust, and flatbread processing facility in Los Angeles County.

For more on the FPIP, visit the CEC's webpage.

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About the California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency. It has seven core responsibilities: advancing state energy policy, encouraging energy efficiency, certifying thermal power plants, investing in energy innovation, developing renewable energy, transforming transportation, and preparing for energy emergencies.

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