I support regulations that regulate gas leaf blowers. Gas leaf blowers are a major and increasing source of air pollution and contributor to green house gas emissions. There are strong health and environmental reasons to take immediate action to regulate small gas engines. The State Air Resources Board is in the process of developing new guidance for small engines including leaf blowers. There are also incentive programs to replace gas equipment with electric equipment. The Mayors Climate Commission will soon have recommendations on this equipment. The city should follow new state and climate commission guidance and use incentives to move to electric lawn equipment. Regulations should encourage electric equipment by allowing more use while restricting gas powered equipment. The city should also phase out gas blowers and other small engines. Standards for when blowers can be used should be tied directly to air quality AND emission standards. I’ve included an attachment with references.
I strongly support this ordinance and believe it is an important first step to eliminating gas-powered blowers altogether. At a time when it is crucial to reduce emissions, and in the light of wildfires that will continue to adversely impact air quality in Sacramento, operating gas-powered lawn equipment when air quality is already poor is irresponsible and harmful to our health. As a physician and a father, I care deeply about the health impacts to our community and to children and adults who have asthma and allergies. Banning the use of gas-powered lawn equipment when the AQI is above 100 is an obvious and necessary first step. Thank you to Councilmember Harris for introducing this important legislation and starting this conversation.
I'm Kathy Les and have lead the effort in Curtis Park for Clean and Quiet Lawn Care. We have gas mowers and blowers in use multiple times daily in every kind of weather, rain and wind included. This ordinance would be a good first step toward limiting air born pollution on the hottest and most polluted days in Sacramento. The California Air Resources Board expects small particulate matter from gas lawn equipment to exceed that of cars beginning this year. This ordinance will help usher in new awareness of pollution from lawn care equipment and will hopefully lead to a more comprehensive ordinance in the near future following the recommendations of the Mayors Climate Commission.
I strongly support the limitation of gas-powered lawn equipment and actually think Councilmember Harris' proposal does not go far enough. I am in support of a complete ban on the equipment phased in over a few years, and with a few minor exceptions. I hear these blowers constantly in my neighborhood, even in winter when there are no leaves on the ground. They are noisy, polluting, and have serious adverse health impacts. I applaud Councilmember Harris leadership on this issue!
Hey Jeff, I'm Kent Lacin and I live in River Park. I bike commute to work and go through the central city. The two stroke leaf blowers are creating lots of dust that cyclists have to ride through (often holding our breath). Usually the blowers are the well-used type and you can smell the gas and exhaust in the air for an additional block or so. It's clear that they're polluting the very environment they're supposed to be 'cleaning up'. AND-on the downtown streets, most of the blowers just blow a large part of the leaves and trash into the center of the street, where it quickly returns to the curb. So we create dusty air, pollute the environment with both noise and gas just to blow the leaves into the street??? It's an exercise in futility. I think leaf blowers have their place (ELECTRIC ONES!), and would appreciate that improvement in the city laws, anything you can do would be appreciated. Thanks so much
I strongly support the proposed ordinance to limit the use of leafblowers while the AQI is forecasted to be at 100 or over. Sacramento has the 5th worst air quality in the county and as such should be taking all feasible measures to reduce the impact to our health. It seems very reasonable to limit the use of leafblowers during these dirty air days. Landscapers should not be exposed to this bad air as well as they suffer the most negative health consequences by being required to use these machines. As one of many residents with asthma, limiting the use of these machines on these days would have real world impacts on my health as well as other residents. Tracey Harper, Sacramento resident, Sierra Oaks.
Leaf blowers and other landscaping equipment are set to surpass vehicle emissions in the state of California.Today, operating the best-selling commercial lawn mower for one hour emits as much smog-forming pollution as driving the best-selling 2016 passenger car, a Toyota Camry, about 300 miles – approximately the distance from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. For the best-selling commercial leaf blower, one hour of operation emits smog-forming pollution comparable to driving a 2016 Toyota Camry about 1100 miles, or approximately the distance from Los Angeles to Denver.
We must inform the public of these impacts on public health and climate emissions. More information from the Air Resources Board here: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/small-engines-california
I have lived in my neighborhood for 25 years and there were no leaf blowers on my street when we moved here and only a few for the first 15 years. In the last 10 years as the neighborhood has gentrified we have gone from 1-3 hours a week of leaf blowing to an average of 20-25 hours a week of leaf blowing. In this last 10 years I have developed asthma and have seen a massive decrease in bird and pollinator variety and numbers. I associate leaf blowers with thoughtless prosperity and would ban them altogether. Since those who can afford to pay for gardeners are the biggest contributors to our deteriorating environment and they are also the most active in the legislature I know my wish will not come true so, for the moment, I will settle for this tiny improvement. Beverly Schmidkunz Boido
My name is Harold Thomas. I am a retired attorney with thirty years experience protecting public health as a state attorney and prosecutor. Our neighborhood association is on record supporting cleaner lawn equipment. If we are in a climate emergency these early efforts to limit C02 discharges from two stroke lawn equipment are important and the bare minimum of what we will need to do in the near future. Atmospheric dust from roads and streets entrained by lawn blowers are significant pollutants dangerous to human health and particularly our children. Thank you
My name is Sheyenne Forbes. I live in Midtown in District 4. I support the proposed ordinance recommended by Councilmember Harris. I would suggest considering a total ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, while allowing battery-powered leaf blowers only on days when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is below 100. According to the Air Resources Board, leaf blowers are set to surpass cars as the primary source of certain climate-forcing pollutants. Thank you for your work and consideration on this important issue that affects public health and quality of life.
My name is Ansel Lundberg. I live in East Sacramento in District 3. I support the proposed ordinance recommended by CM Harris. I would suggest considering a total ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, while allowing battery-powered leaf blowers only on days when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is below 100. Thank you for your work and consideration on this important issue that affects public health, quality of life, and economic activity in the City.
My name is Ansel Lundberg. I live in East Sacramento in District 3. I support the proposed ordinance recommended by CM Harris. I would suggest considering a total ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, while allowing battery-powered leaf blowers only on days when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is below 100. Thank you for your work and consideration on this important issue that affects public health, quality of life, and economic activity in the City.
Please allow this ordinance to go forward. I live in Heritage Park with 956 homes and leaf blowers going all over constantly, we are generating an environmental mess. An ordinance like this helps health and raises general awareness of "leaf blowers". I have discovered that people do not know how toxic the gas ones are, not even close. I presume you do because you are looking at this issue. I have just sent my daughter an electric back pack blower to replace her gas one on her 4 acre property in Virginia. She will not be breathing in fumes an vapor any more!!
I strongly support this proposed ordinance. While some may argue that this could hurt landscapers' and gardeners' livelihoods, it is not an outright ban but rather a restriction based on protecting health for everyone, including leaf blower operators who are at the greatest risk of harm from exposure to fugitive dust, cancer-causing emissions and noise levels resulting in hearing loss. The use of hand tools would not be restricted on 100+AQI days. I hope this ordinance will help more people - operators and customers alike - be more aware of the negative health and environmental impacts that gas-powered lawn equipment and blowers are having on our communities. And it would positively impact the health of all Sacramentans, who endure the 5th worst air quality in the nation according to the American Lung Assocation. - Kiim Alexander, Land Park resident
My name is Louis Mirante and I am a Midtown resident. I support this measure but encourage the City to take it further. According to the Air Resources Board, leaf blowers are set to surpass cars as the primary source of certain climate-forcing pollutants. Sacramento should adopt this restriction on high-pollution days, and then it should consider requiring all-electric blowers on all days of the year. https://www.npr.org/2017/02/28/517576431/california-weighs-tougher-emissions-rules-for-gas-powered-garden-equipment
I support regulations that regulate gas leaf blowers. Gas leaf blowers are a major and increasing source of air pollution and contributor to green house gas emissions. There are strong health and environmental reasons to take immediate action to regulate small gas engines. The State Air Resources Board is in the process of developing new guidance for small engines including leaf blowers. There are also incentive programs to replace gas equipment with electric equipment. The Mayors Climate Commission will soon have recommendations on this equipment. The city should follow new state and climate commission guidance and use incentives to move to electric lawn equipment. Regulations should encourage electric equipment by allowing more use while restricting gas powered equipment. The city should also phase out gas blowers and other small engines. Standards for when blowers can be used should be tied directly to air quality AND emission standards. I’ve included an attachment with references.
I strongly support this ordinance and believe it is an important first step to eliminating gas-powered blowers altogether. At a time when it is crucial to reduce emissions, and in the light of wildfires that will continue to adversely impact air quality in Sacramento, operating gas-powered lawn equipment when air quality is already poor is irresponsible and harmful to our health. As a physician and a father, I care deeply about the health impacts to our community and to children and adults who have asthma and allergies. Banning the use of gas-powered lawn equipment when the AQI is above 100 is an obvious and necessary first step. Thank you to Councilmember Harris for introducing this important legislation and starting this conversation.
I'm Kathy Les and have lead the effort in Curtis Park for Clean and Quiet Lawn Care. We have gas mowers and blowers in use multiple times daily in every kind of weather, rain and wind included. This ordinance would be a good first step toward limiting air born pollution on the hottest and most polluted days in Sacramento. The California Air Resources Board expects small particulate matter from gas lawn equipment to exceed that of cars beginning this year. This ordinance will help usher in new awareness of pollution from lawn care equipment and will hopefully lead to a more comprehensive ordinance in the near future following the recommendations of the Mayors Climate Commission.
I strongly support the limitation of gas-powered lawn equipment and actually think Councilmember Harris' proposal does not go far enough. I am in support of a complete ban on the equipment phased in over a few years, and with a few minor exceptions. I hear these blowers constantly in my neighborhood, even in winter when there are no leaves on the ground. They are noisy, polluting, and have serious adverse health impacts. I applaud Councilmember Harris leadership on this issue!
Hey Jeff, I'm Kent Lacin and I live in River Park. I bike commute to work and go through the central city. The two stroke leaf blowers are creating lots of dust that cyclists have to ride through (often holding our breath). Usually the blowers are the well-used type and you can smell the gas and exhaust in the air for an additional block or so. It's clear that they're polluting the very environment they're supposed to be 'cleaning up'. AND-on the downtown streets, most of the blowers just blow a large part of the leaves and trash into the center of the street, where it quickly returns to the curb. So we create dusty air, pollute the environment with both noise and gas just to blow the leaves into the street??? It's an exercise in futility. I think leaf blowers have their place (ELECTRIC ONES!), and would appreciate that improvement in the city laws, anything you can do would be appreciated. Thanks so much
I strongly support the proposed ordinance to limit the use of leafblowers while the AQI is forecasted to be at 100 or over. Sacramento has the 5th worst air quality in the county and as such should be taking all feasible measures to reduce the impact to our health. It seems very reasonable to limit the use of leafblowers during these dirty air days. Landscapers should not be exposed to this bad air as well as they suffer the most negative health consequences by being required to use these machines. As one of many residents with asthma, limiting the use of these machines on these days would have real world impacts on my health as well as other residents. Tracey Harper, Sacramento resident, Sierra Oaks.
Leaf blowers and other landscaping equipment are set to surpass vehicle emissions in the state of California.Today, operating the best-selling commercial lawn mower for one hour emits as much smog-forming pollution as driving the best-selling 2016 passenger car, a Toyota Camry, about 300 miles – approximately the distance from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. For the best-selling commercial leaf blower, one hour of operation emits smog-forming pollution comparable to driving a 2016 Toyota Camry about 1100 miles, or approximately the distance from Los Angeles to Denver.
We must inform the public of these impacts on public health and climate emissions. More information from the Air Resources Board here: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/small-engines-california
I have lived in my neighborhood for 25 years and there were no leaf blowers on my street when we moved here and only a few for the first 15 years. In the last 10 years as the neighborhood has gentrified we have gone from 1-3 hours a week of leaf blowing to an average of 20-25 hours a week of leaf blowing. In this last 10 years I have developed asthma and have seen a massive decrease in bird and pollinator variety and numbers. I associate leaf blowers with thoughtless prosperity and would ban them altogether. Since those who can afford to pay for gardeners are the biggest contributors to our deteriorating environment and they are also the most active in the legislature I know my wish will not come true so, for the moment, I will settle for this tiny improvement. Beverly Schmidkunz Boido
My name is Harold Thomas. I am a retired attorney with thirty years experience protecting public health as a state attorney and prosecutor. Our neighborhood association is on record supporting cleaner lawn equipment. If we are in a climate emergency these early efforts to limit C02 discharges from two stroke lawn equipment are important and the bare minimum of what we will need to do in the near future. Atmospheric dust from roads and streets entrained by lawn blowers are significant pollutants dangerous to human health and particularly our children. Thank you
My name is Sheyenne Forbes. I live in Midtown in District 4. I support the proposed ordinance recommended by Councilmember Harris. I would suggest considering a total ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, while allowing battery-powered leaf blowers only on days when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is below 100. According to the Air Resources Board, leaf blowers are set to surpass cars as the primary source of certain climate-forcing pollutants. Thank you for your work and consideration on this important issue that affects public health and quality of life.
My name is Ansel Lundberg. I live in East Sacramento in District 3. I support the proposed ordinance recommended by CM Harris. I would suggest considering a total ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, while allowing battery-powered leaf blowers only on days when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is below 100. Thank you for your work and consideration on this important issue that affects public health, quality of life, and economic activity in the City.
My name is Ansel Lundberg. I live in East Sacramento in District 3. I support the proposed ordinance recommended by CM Harris. I would suggest considering a total ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, while allowing battery-powered leaf blowers only on days when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is below 100. Thank you for your work and consideration on this important issue that affects public health, quality of life, and economic activity in the City.
Please allow this ordinance to go forward. I live in Heritage Park with 956 homes and leaf blowers going all over constantly, we are generating an environmental mess. An ordinance like this helps health and raises general awareness of "leaf blowers". I have discovered that people do not know how toxic the gas ones are, not even close. I presume you do because you are looking at this issue. I have just sent my daughter an electric back pack blower to replace her gas one on her 4 acre property in Virginia. She will not be breathing in fumes an vapor any more!!
I strongly support this proposed ordinance. While some may argue that this could hurt landscapers' and gardeners' livelihoods, it is not an outright ban but rather a restriction based on protecting health for everyone, including leaf blower operators who are at the greatest risk of harm from exposure to fugitive dust, cancer-causing emissions and noise levels resulting in hearing loss. The use of hand tools would not be restricted on 100+AQI days. I hope this ordinance will help more people - operators and customers alike - be more aware of the negative health and environmental impacts that gas-powered lawn equipment and blowers are having on our communities. And it would positively impact the health of all Sacramentans, who endure the 5th worst air quality in the nation according to the American Lung Assocation. - Kiim Alexander, Land Park resident
My name is Louis Mirante and I am a Midtown resident. I support this measure but encourage the City to take it further. According to the Air Resources Board, leaf blowers are set to surpass cars as the primary source of certain climate-forcing pollutants. Sacramento should adopt this restriction on high-pollution days, and then it should consider requiring all-electric blowers on all days of the year. https://www.npr.org/2017/02/28/517576431/california-weighs-tougher-emissions-rules-for-gas-powered-garden-equipment