Another city has had enough of the loud noise and extreme pollution from gas leaf blowers.
According to the “American Sun” report, the city of Portland, Oregon has taken an important step and decided to phase out the much-criticized equipment starting in 2026 and ban it completely in 2028.
During this transition period, the devices will still be available from October to December in 2026 and 2027. After that, their use will be completely banned and violators will face fines starting at $250.
The measure passed unanimously in 2024. It solves the noise and air pollution issues from two-stroke engines common in these tools.
“This policy will improve the physical and mental health of everyone in our city, whether they use gas blowers to make a living or just experience them in their neighborhood,” former Portland City Commissioner Carmen Rubio said, according to OregonLive.
Although a leaf blower’s gas engine is small, it produces a large amount of pollutants. A report from the California Air Resources Board shows that running a commercial leaf blower for one hour produces as much pollution as driving a passenger car 1,100 miles or 15 hours. There’s also the engine’s harsh high revs to contend with.
That’s why more than 100 cities, like Arlington, Massachusetts, have enacted their own bans. Portland’s policy is supported by the city’s voucher program, which is designed to help small businesses switch to more sustainable equipment. However, homeowners themselves will need to invest in new tools.
Commercial operators such as golf course manager Chuck Wolsborn have expressed concerns about battery life, charging infrastructure and a lack of power from electricity alternatives.
City officials believe a phased rollout will help with the transition and that technological advances over time will have the opportunity to address these issues. They also assert that industrial electricity alternatives should provide substantial long-term savings after businesses absorb the initial price shock.
“Operators save money over time because there’s no need for fuel and there’s less maintenance,” John Wasiutynski, director of Portland’s Office of Sustainability, said at a council meeting.
Testimonials from experts testing new, powerful electric lawn mowers indicate that companies are indeed rolling out more powerful, more capable products. If not, the city said it will make changes if necessary.
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