Georgia Environmental Finance Authority

What Georgia Environmental Finance Authority does

Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) is a state financing authority established in 1985 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, operating under the State of Georgia government. GEFA's core function is to provide low-interest loans and administer federal grant programs for environmental infrastructure — specifically water, wastewater, solid waste, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and land conservation projects — across the state. Its principal product portfolio includes the Georgia Fund (state-funded), Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), all of which on-lend capital sourced from federal EPA capitalization grants and state appropriations at subsidized rates ranging from 0% to approximately 4.03%. In FY2024, GEFA approved 147 projects exceeding $423 million, impacting more than 1 million Georgians, and has cumulatively approved $5.5 billion in financing since inception.

GEFA serves a segmented customer base: Georgia municipalities, counties, water and sewer authorities, and solid waste entities for its core water/wastewater lending; the state's 38 electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) and partners such as Oglethorpe Power and Georgia Transmission for grid resilience programs; Georgia homeowners for the newer Home Energy Rebates program (launched March 2025 with IRA funding, averaging $10,160 per household); and institutions such as the University of Georgia for energy savings performance contracting. The authority's go-to-market is primarily direct enterprise lending to government entities, with recent expansion into consumer-facing channels via partnerships with Home Depot and Pearl. Revenue mechanics combine net interest income on the deployed loan portfolio with administrative allowances on federal pass-through funding (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, DOE, EPA). The organization is governed by a Governor-appointed board of directors (chaired by McRae-Helena Mayor Mike Young since January 2025) and led by Executive Director Trey Bennett (appointed November 2025).

Name

Georgia Environmental Finance Authority

Legal name

Georgia Environmental Finance Authority

Website

https://gefa.georgia.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Georgia Environmental Finance Authority is a state financing authority that provides low-interest loans and administers federal grants for water, wastewater, solid waste, energy efficiency, and grid resilience infrastructure projects across Georgia, serving municipalities, counties, water authorities, electric cooperatives, and homeowners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Infrastructure Financing

NAICS

Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111)

akta.pro primary industry

Government-Backed CRE Lending (FHA/HUD/USDA) (FSALADAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Carbon Markets & Climate Finance (Offsets, Allowances, Carbon Funds) (FSAAALAH)

Keywords

• Environmental infrastructure financing
• State revolving fund loans
• Water infrastructure lending
• Energy efficiency rebates
• Municipal bond financing

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Loan Interest Revenue: GEFA provides low-interest loans for water, wastewater, solid waste, and energy infrastructure projects. The authority earns interest on these loans, with rates ranging from 0% to approximately 4.03% depending on project type, community eligibility, and conservation components. Loans are provided through multiple programs including the Georgia Fund, Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF).
2. Federal and State Grant Administration: GEFA administers federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), U.S. Department of Energy, and EPA. This includes distributing grants for lead service line replacement, PFAS treatment, energy efficiency, and emerging contaminants. Administrative costs may be covered through federal allocations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GEFA is a state financing authority that provides low-interest loans and administers grants for Georgia's environmental infrastructure, including public water, wastewater, solid waste, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and land conservation projects. It administers the Georgia Fund, Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, and residential energy rebate programs for Georgia communities, government entities, electric cooperatives, and homeowners.

Product overview

Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) operates as a state financing authority providing low-interest loans and grants for environmental infrastructure. The organization offers a portfolio of programs including water infrastructure financing through the Georgia Fund, Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF); energy programs including Home Energy Rebates, Weatherization Assistance, Natural Gas Infrastructure Financing, State Energy Program, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants, Grid Resilience Grants, and Energy Savings Performance Contracting; and specialized programs for Lead Service Line Replacement, Water Conservation, WaterFirst designation, and Fuel Storage Tank management. These programs work together to provide financing solutions for Georgia's water, wastewater, solid waste, energy, and land conservation infrastructure needs, with some programs offering reduced interest rates and principal forgiveness for qualifying communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Georgia Fund: A state-funded program providing low-interest loans for water, wastewater, water conservation, and solid waste infrastructure projects.
• Georgia Reservoir Fund
• Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
• WaterFirst

Products and services

• Water Infrastructure Financing Provides loans for public water, wastewater, and solid waste infrastructure projects through multiple funding mechanisms including Georgia Fund, Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). Targets Georgia municipalities, counties, and water authorities.
• Georgia Fund State-funded program providing low-interest loans for water, wastewater, water conservation, and solid waste infrastructure projects including water/sewer lines, treatment plants, pumping stations, wells, water storage tanks, and water meters. Available to Georgia municipalities and counties.
• Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)

Quantifiable outcome

• 147 projects exceeding $423 million impacted more than 1 million Georgians in fiscal year 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• University of Georgia (UGA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026UGA entered into an energy savings performance contract (ESPC) with GEFA facilitation. UGA partnered with CMTA (energy services company) to implement $15 million in energy-efficiency improvements at five Athens campus facilities. Guaranteed savings estimated at $1.2 million in first year and exceeding $32.6 million over the contract term. Project financed by Truist Bank at 4.60% interest for 14 years.
• PearlcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 November 2025Pearl partners with GEFA to provide Home Performance Reports for homeowners participating in Georgia's Home Energy Rebates program. Under the partnership, eligible households receive discounted reports that document energy-efficient upgrades made possible by taxpayer-funded rebates from the U.S. Department of Energy. The program helps homeowners understand and communicate the value added by efficiency improvements.
• Home DepotcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 October 2025Home Depot partnered with GEFA to promote Georgia's Home Energy Rebates program, helping increase awareness and participation in the energy efficiency rebate initiative for Georgia homeowners.
• Oglethorpe PowerflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 October 2023GEFA and Oglethorpe Power partnered on a $250 million GRIP Program grant application for grid resilience and clean energy projects. Oglethorpe Power proposed three 25-megawatt utility-scale batteries. The partnership serves 38 not-for-profit EMCs providing electricity to 4.4 million Georgians.
• Georgia TransmissionflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 October 2023Partner in the $250 million GRIP Program grant for grid resilience. Georgia Transmission owns over 4,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines and 770+ substations serving 4.4 million Georgians through EMCs.
• Georgia System OperationsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 October 2023Partner in the GRIP Program grant application. GSOC controls and monitors electric generation, transmission, and distribution assets for 38 Georgia EMCs and manages critical infrastructure protection programs.
• Green Power EMCflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 October 2023Partner in the GRIP Program grant for renewable energy and grid resilience. Green Power EMC sources renewable generation for Georgia's 38 electric cooperatives and provides education programs on renewable energy.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Texas Water Development Board: Texas's state financing authority for water and wastewater infrastructure, administering SRFs and state-funded loan programs to municipalities and water authorities. Highly comparable to GEFA as a peer state environmental finance authority operating SRF and state revolving fund programs for local governments.
• New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation: New York's state environmental finance corporation that administers the Clean Water SRF, Drinking Water SRF, and green infrastructure financing for municipalities. Closely mirrors GEFA's role as a dedicated state-level financing authority for water and environmental infrastructure.
• California State Water Resources Control Board: California's primary state agency administering the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds alongside broader water quality regulation. Comparable to GEFA as a state-level SRF administrator funding municipal water infrastructure loans and grants.
• Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST): Pennsylvania's state financing authority providing low-interest loans and grants for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and brownfields infrastructure. Directly comparable to GEFA in mission, funding mechanisms, and customer base of municipalities and water authorities.
• North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality: North Carolina's state environmental agency administering the Clean Water and Drinking Water SRFs along with other state-funded water infrastructure loan programs. Functions as a peer state SRF administrator with a comparable mandate to GEFA.
• Indiana Finance Authority: Indiana's state financing authority administering the State Revolving Fund Loan Programs and other environmental infrastructure financing. Comparable to GEFA as a state-level infrastructure financing entity serving municipal and utility borrowers.
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (SRF Programs): Florida's state agency that administers the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and similar subsidized loan programs for water infrastructure. Closely comparable to GEFA's core lending activity and target borrower base.
• Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Water Supply Revolving Loan Fund): Ohio's state SRF administrator providing low-interest loans for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure to Ohio communities. Functions as a peer state environmental finance entity with overlapping programs and customers to GEFA.

Others

• U.S. EPA Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program: The federal CWSRF program that capitalizes state-level SRFs (including GEFA's) through annual federal grants. Comparable as an upstream funder whose capital flows directly into GEFA's lending capacity, but it is not a competitor.
• USDA Rural Development Water & Environmental Programs: USDA's federal water and environmental infrastructure loan and grant programs serving rural communities, partially overlapping with GEFA's small-community customer base. Functions as a parallel federal financing channel rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GEFAloan
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/GEFAMedia
• Facebookfacebook.com/gefaloan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gefaloan
• Instagraminstagram.com/gefaloan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Georgia Environmental Finance Authority