(a) Within 45 days of the effective date of this chapter, the commission shall implement a Small Business Energy Efficient Refrigeration Loan Program for qualifying small businesses to purchase and install energy efficient refrigeration equipment.
(b) The program shall offer loans at 3 percent interest on terms that will ensure the small business owner will repay the loan over time in accordance with terms established by the Energy Commission, but in no event may the term exceed the useful life of the purchase.
(c) The commission may enter into agreements with lending institutions and qualifying vendors to facilitate making and administering loans. Any loan made by the commission for the purchase of equipment shall be secured against the equipment purchased.