Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Propane approves FY 2025-26 budget

June 11, 2025 By Sydney Fischer 0 Comments

From left: Phil Farris, Mike Peacock, Pete Folger, Jonathan Heard, John Jessup, Matt Leonard, Mark Holloway, Thomas Trowell, Raleigh Garrett, Tyler Misel and John Peña. (Photo courtesy of SEPA)

The Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Propane (GAACCP) approved a $650,000 budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, reaffirming its commitment to consumer awareness, propane adoption, workforce development and safety education across the state.

This year’s budget strategically allocates funds across three core focus areas: safety, training and education, marketing and promotion, and consumer and dealer rebates. The program aims to expand propane use, boost public awareness and support Georgia’s propane workforce through targeted investment and outreach.

Safety, training and education

To enhance Georgia’s propane workforce and safety standards, the commission has designated $200,000 for educational initiatives:

$50,000 for three mobile training sessions across three locations in Georgia, open to all marketers who contribute to the checkoff program
$100,000 for on-site and hybrid scholarship programs for Southeast Propane Alliance Technical Education Center (SEPATEC) training
$50,000 for a new “Sales Hire” initiative to grow industry talent

Marketing and promotion

The commission is allocating $200,000 for a comprehensive marketing and promotional campaign aimed at increasing propane visibility across various sectors:

Consumer and builder awareness campaigns
Rebate promotions for residential and commercial users
Agricultural and internal combustion engine applications
Ongoing support for SEPATEC

Rebate program

The rebate program continues to promote the adoption of clean propane, now offering up to $1,000 in rebates per home. Qualified installations and their associated rebate amounts include:

Propane furnace or gas pack: $400
Recirculating water heater: $400
Non-recirculating water heater: $200
Dual-fuel heat pump: $400
Cooktops and dryers: $50 each

In addition, a new pilot program for autogas offers 10 rebates at $2,500 each, with a maximum of one rebate per Georgia company.

Cost of purchasing: Expenses related to purchasing factory-direct propane vehicles
Cost of conversions: Expenses related to purchasing the conversion kit and labor to install the conversion kit
Cost of conversion training: Enhancing the skills and knowledge of your team through professional training programs. This covers the cost of travel and lodging.
Cost of education: Investing in courses, seminars and workshops to learn how to convert, repair and perform maintenance on autogas systems
Cost of infrastructure: Improving your company’s infrastructure, including dispensing stations, software, hardware and other essential tools

Any questions about whether a project qualifies will be determined by the GAACCP board. The rebate program is exclusive to marketers in Georgia due to their contributions to the checkoff program. Both the project and education must be physically located in Georgia and generate business within the state.

Administrative oversight and fiscal responsibility

An administrative budget of $55,902 has been established to ensure effective oversight and operations. The commission also adopted a formal investment policy statement to guide financial management and the stewardship of public trust.

Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Propane renewed for five years