Both the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and California Energy Commission (CEC) are developing long-term strategic plans for their energy efficiency and self-generation incentive and research programs, and they asked CLFP to help provide input and suggestions from the food processing industry. Food processors are collectively one of the largest industrial consumers of energy in the state and key customers for the utilities regulated by the CPUC. However, CLFP and some processors have expressed concern that energy efficiency programs need to be updated and revised to meet the challenges of a broad range of food processing operations.

CLFP staff and several CLFP members participated in a strategic planning meeting held on November 12 in Stockton with staff with the CPUC, CEC, and PG&E to provide suggestions regarding the long-term planning process. Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory staff members coordinated the meeting, and they are helping to prepare the final report for the CPUC. There were a number of recommendations from the food processors and other stakeholders who attended the meeting, including the following:

• The lifespan of utility energy efficiency incentive and technical assistance programs should be extended beyond the current two-year period to allow for better long-term planning by industrial customers.
• The utilities should provide financial incentives for extensive electricity, natural gas, and water sub-metering in food processing plants, and the software and training needed to make the best use of the data generated.
• Provide an easy-to-access clearinghouse for technical reports regarding new energy efficiency technologies that have been vetted by the utilities and/or CEC.
• Include water/energy nexus projects in utility program planning and incentives.
• Improve the training of utility third-party technical consultants to be sure that they understand food processing operations before entering facilities on consulting projects.
• Provide future venues for companies to discuss their concerns and issues with the utilities, CPUC, and CEC.

If you have any questions about the meeting or the CPUC Strategic Plan, please contact Rob Neenan in the CLFP office at (916) 640-8150 or rob@clfp.com.