The time between
the final June 2006 EPA award of funds following the
pre-award efforts of October 2005 has demonstrated where
some initial objectives may be challenging to complete.
Efforts at utilizing CA utility rebates to buy down
financing costs have not, so far, been something FSE
distributors seem to be hungry for.
Therefore, we've
opened two new fronts that we hope will help accelerate the
market transformation process.
1. SB-Cal
is communicating with all FS equipment manufacturers to help
by highlighting where energy efficient FS equipment delivers
added value beyond energy savings. This information
will be used to highlight those values and the firms that
make the equipment in articles we hope will be published in
industry and other publications.
2. As the
actual uptake of efficient FS equipment incentives seems to
be a continuing challenge, SB-Cal is working with one FS
distributor who has suggested that a rebate processing
facilitation
service might be helpful.
3. We'll be
making in person site visits
to food service equipment distributors throughout California
to encourage participation by these mid-stream suppliers to
the food service industry. As of November 27th, 2006
we visited 54 FSE distributors providing rebate incentive
brochures and other materials from the CA IOUs.
