CSFS: Natural refrigerants in retail food refrigeration and cold storage
CSFS: Natural refrigerants in retail food refrigeration and cold storage supports Minnesota food retailers, cold storage, and food assistance operations with refrigeration upgrades to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Funder: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Due Dates: Rolling (until funds are exhausted) | May 27, 2027, 4 p.m. Central Time (Final application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Approximately $5 million available; maximum awards of $500,000 or $750,000; 50% cash match; projects completed within 13 months
Summary: Supports replacement of large refrigeration systems with natural-refrigerant equipment in Minnesota food retail, cold storage, and food assistance operations.
Key Information: Existing operational systems being replaced must hold more than 300 pounds of refrigerant, combined at one facility.
Description
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) funds refrigeration upgrades that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Minnesota’s retail food, cold storage, and food assistance operations. Projects replace existing, operational equipment using high-global-warming-potential refrigerants with systems using natural refrigerants, including carbon dioxide, ammonia, and propane. Full replacements and partial conversions to indirect systems are eligible.
Supported technologies include transcritical carbon dioxide racks, remote condensing units, cascade and secondary loop systems, propane micro-distributed systems, and integrated refrigeration, heating, and cooling systems. The program is part of Minnesota’s climate-smart food systems initiative, supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. Projects benefiting underserved communities and environmental justice areas receive higher ratings.
