Oliver Hoad,
Market Manager,
Environ Energy

Environ Energy's Market Manager, Oliver Hoad, brings deep expertise in helping manufacturers unlock funding for energy efficiency and decarbonization. As a committed partner to the Protein PACT, Oliver and the Environ team are supporting the industry's progress by connecting members with practical, cost-saving solutions that drive continuous improvement. 

One of the major challenges our customers in the meat industry face today is the escalating and unpredictable cost of energy, coupled with increasing pressure to meet sustainability goals. Meat processing is incredibly energy-intensive, relying heavily on refrigeration, heating, and other power-hungry processes. Volatile energy markets directly impact operational costs and profit margins. Simultaneously, there's growing scrutiny from consumers, regulators, and investors regarding the environmental footprint of meat production, pushing for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and improved sustainability practices. These two pressures—cost and compliance—often feel at odds, making it difficult for individual companies to invest in the necessary upgrades.

We are most excited about our holistic Energy Incentive Management Solution, particularly as it applies to unlocking significant capital for decarbonization projects. This isn't just about finding a single grant; it's about a comprehensive approach that identifies, secures, and manages a diverse portfolio of federal, state, local, and utility incentives (grants, rebates, tax credits) to dramatically reduce the upfront capital costs of energy-saving projects. This enables implementation of transformative energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy installations – such as optimizing refrigeration systems, electrifying processes, or integrating on-site solar – that might otherwise be financially out of reach. We're excited because this solution directly addresses both the cost challenge and the sustainability imperative, empowering our clients to achieve substantial long-term savings and bolster their environmental credentials.

Collaboration is critical in the energy efficiency and renewable energy space for several key reasons:

• Complexity of the Meat Industry's Energy Footprint: Meat processing facilities are inherently energy-intensive and have unique operational demands (e.g., precise temperature control, steam generation, water treatment). A generic energy solution won't work. Collaboration allows for a deep understanding of these specific processes and tailored solutions that truly fit, maximizing impact and minimizing disruption.
   
• Navigating a Labyrinth of Funding: The array of grants, rebates, and tax incentives for energy projects is vast, constantly evolving, and spans federal, state, and local levels, as well as utility programs. It's a full-time job to keep track of it all! Environ Energy's specialized knowledge, combined with the Meat Institute's reach and understanding of its members' needs, creates a powerful partnership to identify and unlock these critical financial resources. Without collaboration, many valuable funding opportunities would simply go untapped by individual businesses.
   
• Sharing Best Practices and Accelerating Innovation: The meat industry can learn immensely from successes and challenges across different facilities and even other manufacturing sectors. Collaborative platforms, like those facilitated by the Meat Institute, allow for the sharing of proven best practices, technological advancements, and lessons learned in energy management. Environ Energy can bring its broader industry experience to the table, helping members adopt proven strategies and new innovations more quickly and effectively, minimizing trial and error.
   
• Addressing Common Barriers and Mitigating Risks: Many meat processors face similar hurdles in pursuing energy upgrades, such as high upfront capital costs, limited in-house expertise, or concerns about operational disruption during upgrades. By collaborating, members can collectively address these common challenges, perhaps by pooling insights or advocating for more favorable policies. Working with experts like Environ Energy also helps mitigate technical, financial, and regulatory risks associated with large-scale energy projects through informed guidance and thorough assessments. In essence, collaboration is essential to accelerate this transition for the entire sector. By working together – the Meat Institute providing industry leadership and advocacy, Environ Energy offering technical expertise and funding access, and individual members implementing solutions – we can identify the most impactful projects, secure the necessary funding, and implement solutions that lead to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, contributing to both environmental stewardship and a stronger, more resilient bottom line for all members