The sale of gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers may soon be banned in California.
State Assemblymembers Marc Berman and Lorena Gonzalez have introduced a bill proposing to end the sale of new gas-powered small off-road engines ー otherwise known as SORE ー used in leaf blowers and lawn mowers.
The bill comes as part of California’s initiative to diminish the impacts of climate change. "It’s time to phase out these super polluters," Gonzalez said in a press release. "They’re not only bad for our environment, but can cause serious health issues for workers who utilize them every day."
Even though SORE are small, they pack a mighty punch, the legislators explained.
"Today, operating the best-selling gas-powered commercial leaf blower for one hour emits air pollutants comparable to driving a 2017 Toyota Camry from Los Angeles to Denver," Berman said.
If passed, the bill will require all new sales of SORE to be zero-emission by at least 2024, a decision Berman and Gonzales made to phase out the gas-powered engines instead of banning their sale immediately as this will allow the landscaping industry time to readjust.
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