Propane Education & Research Council Opens 2016 Propane Farm Incentive Program

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) announced the release of the 2016 Propane Farm Incentive Program (FIP), a nationwide research and demonstration initiative offering farmers purchase incentives of up to $5,000 toward new propane-powered farm equipment. The FIP a research program that tests the performance of new propane-powered technology in agriculture equipment such as irrigation engines and grain dryers. Producers who enroll in the program are offered a financial incentive in exchange for recording performance data of the equipment being tested.

The 2016 Propane Farm Incentive Program offers a variety of farm-related equipment incentives including 10 cents per square foot for propane-powered agricultural heating systems. The incentive program also helps offset the upfront costs of other new agriculture equipment.

According to PERC, a growing number of farms are now using propane-powered irrigation systems. Participants from the 2014 incentive program reduced fuel costs by more than 40 percent by switching to emissions-compliant, propane-powered irrigation engines. Additionally, new generation propane-powered engines produce 20 percent fewer emissions than gasoline engines and 11 percent fewer emissions than similar diesel-powered systems.

Some of the equipment eligible under the PERC Farm Incentive Program includes: propane-fueled industrial engines (irrigation), propane-fueled generators used for water pumping and other select applications, new poultry, swine, and greenhouse heating systems are eligible under the PERC Farm Incentive Program when installed as part of an entire system installation. The complete heating system must either be installed in new construction or as a conversion from another fuel source.

Propane-powered heaters and water heaters have become a popular economical solution to heat plants during cold winter months, and also for cleaning and sanitizing greenhouses. Using propane is a cost-effective means for farmers who need efficient heat.

“New generation propane-powered farm equipment is extremely efficient, reliable, and cost-effective,” said Cinch Munson, Director of Agriculture Business Development at PERC. “The Propane Farm Incentive Program helps farmers experience the many benefits of propane equipment first-hand, while providing us with valuable information to continue to improve new propane technology.”

To see a complete list of eligible equipment included in the PERC Farm Incentive Program guidelines, or to complete an online application, please visit www.propane.com/farmincentive.