In Washington state, Democratic legislators are considering a ban on new gas-powered lawn and garden tools, such as leaf blowers, through a bill that could result in jail time for offenders.
State Representative Amy Walen, a Democrat from Kirkland, has introduced a bill to revise the state's Clean Air Act, aiming to outlaw new "gasoline-powered and diesel-powered landscaping and other outdoor power equipment." According to the bill, gas-powered garden tools are a contributing factor to climate change and are linked to various health issues, including asthma and hearing loss, as reported by Jason Rantz of KTTH.
The draft legislation sets a deadline of January 1, 2026, for the Washington state Department of Ecology to establish regulations that would "adopt rules to prohibit engine exhaust and evaporative emissions from new outdoor power equipment." This bill includes certain exceptions for gas-powered equipment used by government bodies and for commercial or residential purposes when no "suitable zero emissions outdoor power equipment technology" is available.
Breaking the proposed law in Washington state would be classified as a gross misdemeanor under the state's penal code, potentially leading to fines of up to $10,000 and imprisonment for as long as 364 days for each violation.
To facilitate the shift from fossil fuel-dependent equipment, the legislation suggests a temporary removal of state sales and use taxes on "zero emissions landscaping equipment." This category encompasses battery-operated or electric lawn tools, as well as "lawn mowers powered solely by human effort."
Similar initiatives to phase out small gas-powered tools have been undertaken in states like California and Minnesota, with Democratic legislators focusing on reducing carbon emissions. These measures generally target the sale of new gas-powered equipment while allowing individuals to retain and use equipment they already possess.
In California, a significant step was taken in 2021 when Governor Gavin Newsom enacted a law prohibiting the sale of gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers from 2024. Additionally, the California Air Resources Board ruled that by 2035, all new vehicles in the state must be powered by electric batteries.
Critics of the proposed law argue that it will restrict consumer options and potentially lead to higher costs when purchasing new equipment. Landscaping companies, in particular, are concerned about the substantial initial investment required for switching to battery-powered tools. For example, a commercial electric backpack leaf blower can cost over $100 more than its gas counterpart, as reported by the Orange County Register. Furthermore, NPR noted that a 52-inch ride-on electric mower from Mean Green Mowers is priced at nearly $30,000, which is over triple the cost of a similar gas-powered model.
To help mitigate these financial burdens, the tax breaks included in Representative Walen's bill are designed to provide some relief. However, these incentives are set to expire on January 1, 2030.
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