NEIGHBORHOOD
Blowing in the Wind
DC Mandates Cleaner Leaf Blowers and Provides Rebates for Them
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by Catherine Plume
hours each day are exposed to much higher levels. paring types and brands of leaf blowers also notes eaf blowers--sometimes it seems that everyone Over time, these emissions can lead to a host of that “the best corded models are on a par with or is foregoing the humble rake for these highhealth issues ranging from cardiovascular disease, better than many gas blowers.” powered machines. People either love them for to strokes, and respiratory diseases. The noise they At least some local landscaping companies are their efficiency or hate them for high-pitched produce can lead to permanent hearing loss. embracing the legislation and eager to see the switch noise they produce. But did you know that Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) and Chair of the DC to electric. Nancy Sainburg, owner of Enchanted gas-powered leaf blowers are also a major source of Garden, a DC-based landscaping pollution and a health hazard? company notes, “We’ve been usAs of January 1, 2022, the ing only battery-operated blowers Leaf Blower Regulation Amendfor the past five years. We’ve had ment Act of 2016 will prohibit “A 2011 study found that you’d have to drive a Ford no complaints from clients. In the sale and use of gasolineF150 Raptor for 3,887 miles, or the distance from north fact, several clients have come to powered leaf blowers in DC. Texas to Anchorage, Alaska to equal the amount of us after hearing that we only use Residents and landscape compabattery-powered blowers.” nies alike will need to abide by hydrocarbon emissions produced by a two-stroke gasTo get the DCSEU rebate, visthis law or be subject to a fine powered leaf blower operated for only 30 minutes.” it the DCSEU website at https:// of up to $500. To help make the www.dcseu.com/homes/electrictransition to cleaner electric and lawn-care. Residents will need a battery-powered leaf blowers, the copy of their receipt that includes DC Sustainable Energy Utility a model number of the leaf blower purchased. ReCouncil’s Committee on Transportation and the (DCSEU) is offering $50 residential rebates for bate applications (limit one per utility account) can Environment is happy to see these gas-powered qualifying electric leaf blowers and $75 rebates be submitted through the Online Rebate Center machines abolished in DC, noting, “Gas-powered for landscaping companies. Rebates are limited or through the mail-in application. Commercial leaf blowers are noisy, toxic, and exceptionally polto one per residential customer while any landcustomers will need to submit a copy of their DC luting. The gas-powered leaf blower ban is an enviscaping company licensed to work in DC will be business license and can apply for the rebate online ronmental and public health effort, and I enthusieligible for rebates for up to five electric or battery through on the DCSEU’s website. astically welcome the launch of the DCSEU’s leaf powered machines under the DCSEU plan. Ted Trabue, Managing Director of the DCblower rebate program to assist with the phasingSEU urges people to act on this rebate now. in of electric/battery alternatives. Not only will it Why is this legislation necessary? lead to safer environments for According to the Environmental Protection Agenlandscapers, neighborhoods, cy (EPA), two-stroke gasoline-powered lawn and and local wildlife, but the regarden equipment (including leaf blowers) produce bate program will also make high levels of hazardous air pollutants and carbon the transition to cleaner, quidioxide (CO2). Two-stroke engines are lightweight eter alternatives more accesas they combine oil and gas in a single chamber. sible for everyone.” But they are also very loud and inefficient with as While electric and batmuch as a third of the fuel spewed into the air as tery-powered leaf blowers unburned aerosol. As testimony to the inefficiency are better for operator health of these machines, a 2011 study found that you’d and the environment, other have to drive a Ford F150 Raptor for 3,887 miles, technological advancements or the distance from north Texas to Anchorage, are also favoring electric leaf Alaska to equal the amount of hydrocarbon emisblowers. In addition to besions produced by a two stroke gas-powered leaf ing quieter than gas-powered blower operated for only 30 minutes. People who machines, a November 2021 operate these leaf-blowers breathe these emissions The DCSEU has rebates for residents and landscape companies to make the switch to New York Times article comwhile landscapers who operate these machines for electric and battery-powered leaf blowers.
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