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Consumer
• Energy-intensive processing for pre-prepared meals, snacks, and beverages
• More health-and-nutrition-conscious
• Atkins diet fueling increase in meat processing
Processor
• Food safety, related to hot water needs for sterilization, steam for pasteurization, etc.
• Power reliability and self-sufficiency to avoid power loss costs
• Growing interest in more efficient water usage
• Environmental concerns and corporate image driving cleaner energy choices
• Year-round operations as opposed to seasonal—e.g. importing raw materials
• Technology development improving productivity, product quality, and shelf life
• Manufacture of ethanol and biofuels is experiencing very rapid growth
• Combining fuel technologies, e.g. electric and gas baking
• 2-3 year payback on energy capital investment.
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| One San Joaquin Valley rancher invested $6,000 in surveillance cameras to prevent theft. Calves are a particularly appealing target.
--Across the Western Prairie, Bane of Ranchers Resurfaces:High-Protein Diet Craze Makes Cattle Rustling Profitable, Rene Sanchez, Washington Post, Sunday, April 11, 2004; Page A03
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