Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and a Southern California-based energy efficiency firm, Onsite Energy Corp., Carlsbad, CA, signed a $3.2 million deal last Friday under which Onsite will provide funding for industrial cold storage/food processing companies adopting various energy efficiency projects eligible for California utility ratepayer-backed funding. Onsite will have up to $2.8 million for direct incentives under the three-year program running through 2008.

Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis, according to Onsite, which announced it was launching the program’s marketing and development immediately. Onsite bills itself as a comprehensive energy service company, helping customers reduce power and fuel costs.

Onsite made the announcement of the deal, providing a disclaimer by PG&E in which the utility cautioned consumers that they are not obligated to buy any full services from the energy efficiency program provider that are not covered by the ratepayer-funded portion of the program. PG&E noted that the program is under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

Onsite will have the responsibility to market, evaluate, administer and disburse funds to qualified energy efficiency projects throughout the PG&E utility service territory. In addition, the firm will receive direct funding for the cost of developing and administering the program, Onsite said in announcing the contract signing.

The program funding is specifically designed for the needs of cold storage and food processes businesses, Onsite’s President Richard Sperberg said. Funds will be disbursed to each qualifying energy-saving project based on the savings achieved.

“If we can help these customers reduce energy costs, we will help them keep the costs of their production under control,” Sperberg said. “Our program will also help the state of California meet its aggressive energy efficiency goals.”

©Copyright 2006Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. The preceding news reportmay not be republished or redistributed, in whole or in part, in anyform, without prior written consent of Intelligence Press, Inc.