Los Gatos Tomato Products gets $1M for energy efficiency

Los Gatos Tomato Products has received nearly $1 million in utility incentives for improving energy efficiency. This funding is part of a program called Strategic Energy Management (SEM), which is run by CLEAResult in partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). The SEM program helps businesses reduce energy use and costs. Los Gatos implemented several projects, focusing mainly on its steam system. These upgrades fixed steam leaks, cut down on gas use for steam generation, and used a method to recycle waste steam. As a result, the company decreased its electrical consumption by 2.5% and gas use by over 8%. The improvements also led to saving more than 6 million gallons of water annually. Steven Sesock, the Vice President of Operations at Los Gatos, emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability and how the SEM program supports food producers. The program provides financial incentives to eligible participants, and over 70 other food producers are currently taking advantage of it in PG&E's service area. Josh Simes, a PG&E executive, praised the program as a valuable resource for energy management and grid stability. Keri Macklin from CLEAResult highlighted the long-term benefits of the partnership between utilities and customers, which fosters a culture of energy efficiency. CLEAResult is North America's largest provider of energy efficiency services, aiming to help communities reduce energy use and promote sustainability. The organization plays a crucial role in these energy programs across the U.S. and Canada.