CEC Announces the 2022 Food Production Investment Program
The California Energy Commission’s (CEC) Food Production Investment Program (FPIP) recently announced that they will release a $7 million solicitation in November to fund drop-in energy technologies (Tier I) at existing food production facilities in California. Providing support for updating and improving food production facilities with energy efficient and/or renewable energy technologies will reduce operating costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This support can help ensure California’s food processing industries remain competitive and operational and that the jobs associated with food production remain in California.
What is the program’s purpose? The purpose of this solicitation is to accelerate the adoption of advanced energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies at California food processing plants, demonstrate their reliability and effectiveness, help California food processors work towards a low-carbon future, and benefit priority populations. The Tier I technologies to be funded will help reduce energy costs, maintain product quantity and quality, and reduce GHG emissions associated with food production.
What are the anticipated funding amounts and duration? Awards are expected to range in size from $100,000 to $6 million, with the anticipated program start being May 2023 and end June 2026. Match funding is required in the amount of at least 35 percent of eligible project costs.
Who is eligible to apply? Applicants to the FPIP are limited to food processing facilities located in California. The applicant must own or operate one or more food processing facilities where grant-funded equipment will be installed. For this program, food processing facilities are those defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes 311 (Food Manufacturing) and 3121 (Beverage Manufacturing). To be eligible for grant funding, projects must meet all the following minimum requirements:
• Applicant must be an existing food processing facility located in California;
• Proposed projects must reduce GHG emissions as defined in the grant solicitation; and
• Applicant must meet all eligibility and other criteria specified in this solicitation.
When is the application deadline? For Round 1 of funding, applicants must submit applications electronically via the CEC Grant Solicitation System (GSS) by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on January 25th, 2023. The CEC strongly encourages applicants to upload and submit all applications by 5:00 p.m. because CEC staff will not be available after 5:00 p.m. or on weekends to assist with the upload process.
If funds remain at the conclusion of Round 1, the CEC will release a notice and accept applications for Round 2 by the due date of March 8, 2023 or another date as indicated in the notice. The purpose of Round 2 is to allow for new proposal submissions and resubmissions in order to fund additional projects should funds remain after Round 1
The full Request for Applications can be found here.
Morrison has extensive experience writing successful applications for clients for CEC programs. For more information on this grant or how to apply with Morrison’s assistance, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764.