A county in Maryland passed legislation on Tuesday banning the sale and usage of gas-powered leaf blowers.
In a 10-1 vote, the Montgomery County Council voted to pass the new legislation, according to WTOP. The ban on selling gas-powered leaf blowers will go into effect on July 1, 2024, while the ban on the usage of gas-powered leaf blowers will go into effect on July 1, 2025.
“This legislation is a good step forward toward meeting our climate goals,” Marilyn Balcombe, a council member told the outlet. “I’m glad that we took the time to discuss it thoroughly, so that we passed the best bill possible.”
Today was a big day at the Montgomery County Council
— Evan Glass (@EvanMGlass) September 26, 2023
❤️🩹 introduced the Suicide Awareness and Firearm Education (SAFE) Act
🍁 approved a ban on gas powered leaf blowers
👟 reviewed the Pedestrian Master Plan
Evan Glass, the president of the council told the outlet that “moving toward electric leaf blowers” was “an important step” in trying to address “environmental, noise and health” issues in the community.
The legislation comes after Washington, D.C. banned the sale and usage of gas-powered leaf blowers. On January 1, 2022, the District of Columbia’s Leaf Blower Regulation Amendment Act of 2018 went into effect.
“It is undeniable that these products are a nuisance,” Gabe Albornoz, another council member told DCist. “They have ruined many a Zoom.”
Albornoz however pointed out the negative side that it would put a financial burden on the landscaping community, noting that many are Hispanic immigrants.
“We are going to disproportionately impact our immigrant community in a way that deeply concerns me,” Albornoz added.
Included in the legislation is a rebate program to help businesses and residents buy electric leaf blowers and nullify the cost of replacing their gas-powered leaf blowers.