The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) recently announced a second round of the Georgia Agricultural Irrigation Motor (AIM) Program, an incentive program designed to help Georgia farmers become more energy-efficient, save money on fuel costs, and reduce emissions.
The Georgia AIM Program will provide farmers with a rebate to replace inefficient diesel irrigation engines with energy-efficient electric irrigation motors. The rebates will cover 25 percent of eligible project costs, with a $10,000 maximum rebate available. The application period for the second round of the program opened online Dec. 4, 2013, at www.gefa.org. Available funding is limited and rebates will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The application period closes Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, at 5:00 p.m.
“GEFA is excited to offer a program that helps farmers save money and become more energy efficient,” says Kevin Clark, GEFA executive director. “We also hope that the program increases awareness of energy-efficiency measures the agriculture industry can adopt and promote.”
The first round of the program awarded 34 farmers throughout the state with rebates totaling $154,309. The new installations are projected to save 30,167 MMBtus of energy and reduce annual diesel fuel consumption by 217,029 gallons.
“We are pleased to have rebates available to help farmers install more efficient irrigation motors, which will lower their fuel costs and contribute to our state’s culture of conservation,” says Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black. “Agriculture is Georgia’s largest industry and we want to help it grow any way possible.”
Eligible electric irrigation motor conversion projects must take place in the state of Georgia, and must replace a diesel engine that is at least 10 years old and in service. Rebates will not be provided for projects that have been completed prior to the start of this program. The project must be completed by a licensed contractor after notification of rebate approval from GEFA. The electric motor size (horsepower) must be a maximum of 75 percent of the diesel engine it’s replacing, with a minimum energy efficiency rating of 85 percent on the new electric motor. The rebate will cover 25 percent of the cost of the project, including expenses associated with connecting the electric motor to the power meter, three-phase converters and variable frequency drives. The rebate does not cover expenses payable to a power company.
Since 1985, the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority has approved financial commitments totaling more than $3 billion to local governments, businesses and nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.gefa.org.