California Food Processors Investment Program

California food processors are some of the state’s largest consumers of energy. These businesses produce over 3.3 million metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

As a state dedicated to sustainability, the passage of AB 109 led to the creation of the Food Processors Investment Program (FPIP). Administered by the California Energy Commission (CEC), FPIP will award $60 million to food processors1 upgrading their operations to reduce GHG emissions. These funds will be negotiated and awarded through a competitive process. FPIP award amounts will be based on a percentage (50 percent is the average) of capital expenditures related to one of two primary objectives—specific to the food processing industry:

• Replacing high energy consuming equipment/systems with market-ready, advanced technologies and equipment (Tier 1 Applicants); and
• Accelerating the adoption of state-of-the-art energy technologies that can substantially reduce energy use, costs and the associated GHG emissions (Tier 2 Applicants).

The following are examples of FPIP qualified capital expenditure upgrades: Compressor system controls and optimization, machine drive controls, mechanical dewatering, advanced motors and controls, refrigeration optimization, improved drying equipment, process equipment insulation, boilers, economizers, steam traps, condensate returns, heat recovery, evaporators, solar thermal, and internal metering and software to assist in the management and control of electricity or natural gas.

These qualified expenditures must occur between March of next year and March of 2023. Applications for this $60 million are due on or before September 14, 2018 (formerly 8/31/18).