SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Start saying goodbye to gas-powered lawnmowers and leaf-blowers.
Begriming in 2024, California will prohibit the gas-powered small off-road engines that are found in the common landscaping equipment. That change was brought about Thursday by a vote of the California Air Resources Board.
Portable generators will also be eliminated by 2028.
This is an effort to meet zero-emission standards in the state.
"Today’s action addresses these small but highly polluting engines," said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. "It is a significant step towards improving air quality in the state, and will definitely help us meet stringent federal air quality standards."
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Studies show the volume of smog-forming emissions from this type of equipment has surpassed emissions from light-duty passenger cars and is projected to be nearly twice those of passenger cars by 2031.
A commercial operator using one backpack leaf blower for one hour generates the same smog-forming emissions as a car driving 1100 miles, according to CARB.
These regulations will reportedly reduce smog-forming emissions by 72 tons per day.
In August, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department started phasing out gas powered leaf blowers and replacing them with electric battery-powered models.