Plan Ahead for FRIP: Expanded Eligibility Could Mean More Funding Opportunities

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) continues supporting sustainable refrigeration change by expanding eligibility for its F-gas Reduction Incentive Program (FRIP). For California food retailers, this means more of a chance at funding for eco-friendly refrigeration equipment replacements.

What’s changed? They recently announced two major additions to the program regulations, allowing more types of new equipment and applicants with lower current refrigerant charges into the program. In summary:

• Ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) air-cooled, self-contained equipment is now an eligible technology type, though its eligibility comes with additional restrictions.
• The minimum existing refrigerant charge threshold for industrial process refrigeration, cold storage, and other refrigeration facilities has decreased to 500 pounds of high-GWP refrigerant.

You can view the addendum that explains these changes.

For those unfamiliar with the FRIP program, it was created to help food retailers adopt climate-friendly refrigeration technologies, which can otherwise be cost-prohibitive. CARB’s program is helping businesses throughout the state make leaps and bounds toward reducing emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases. The program aims to help companies — and the state as a whole — reach environmental goals faster. The funding makes change possible for independently owned businesses powered by refrigeration, like local supermarkets, that couldn’t otherwise afford equipment replacement.

The FRIP program runs on a first-come, first-served basis, prioritizing applicants in specific communities and retailers that are independently owned and run. Window 1 for applications ended on January 31, but Window 2 opens on March 23! Plan to have your application in as early as possible if you want funding in the second window — it’s expected to be competitive.

Find everything you need to know about the FRIP program and send in your application at FRIPfunding.com.

If you’re accepted and need help with the replacement process, The Arcticom Group is always here to help.

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