Burlingame is turning a new leaf, but it will be to electric blowers after city officials banned the gas-powered counterpart because of its environmental hazards.
All gas-powered blowers will be banned in the city starting July 1, six months after the state law takes effect Jan. 1 prohibiting the sale of new gas-powered blowers. The City Council unanimously decided to ban the blowers during its meeting Monday, Oct. 16.
However, there will be a six-month grace period for education before any fines. The council decided the fine would go to residents, even if the landscaper they hired violated the ordinance.
According to city officials, one hour of leaf-blowing is the equivalent of driving a car for 1,100 miles. And Councilmember Emily Beach said the city must take a stand on gas-powered blowers.
“This is a chance to slow the damage to the environment, reducing our carbon footprint,” Beach said.
An electric backpack leaf blower costs about $2,500, and a gas leaf blower costs around $600, according to a staff report. The council is trying to ease the financial burden for landscapers and residents by offering a rebate program for the costly electric equipment. City staff is still working out the financial details of the program.
Councilmember Peter Stevenson suggested the city takes the money accrued from fines and apply it to the rebate programs fund. The rest of the council appeared to agree with Stevenson.
The city passed an ordinance regulating when leaf blowers can be used after receiving noise complaints from residents in 2012. The ordinance divides the city into three zones. Commercial blowers can be used one day a week, and each zone is assigned a specific day it is permitted. Multi-family buildings zoned R-3 and R-4 are allowed an extra day per week. Residents can use their blowers on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., respectively. The ordinance also restricts blowers from being operated on Mondays and Wednesdays, according to the report. During Monday’s meeting, the council decided to keep the regulation in place and but agreed the city’s Park and Recreation landscapers can use electric blowers any day of the week.
Mayor Michael Brownrigg said the exception for city workers is because they have more ground to cover throughout the week.
“I have a hard time with a double standard, but I understand it,” Brownrigg said.
The city’s Park and Recreation staff uses electric landscape equipment and found it quieter and healthier. Still, the downside is the equipment is heavier, batteries can be finicky, it’s more expensive, and it has limitations, according to the report. The city landscapers will continue to use electric blowers.
Atherton, Hillsborough and Menlo Park are some of the nearby cities that have already ban gas-powered leaf blowers, according to the report.
“I think these things are really bad for the environment, the people who use them, and people who have to listen to them,” Brownrigg said. “I reminded myself this is a luxury. Using a blower to blow leaves is a luxury.”
(650) 344-5200 ext. 105
(650)344-5200, ext. 105
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Dirk van Ulden said:
Dirk van Ulden said:
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(2) comments
Ah yes, thinking that relocating emissions elsewhere will make a difference in global, yes global, emissions. One has to wonder about the amount of carbon emitted to mine precious metals for batteries, manufacture batteries, and then moving them to our hot little hands. Oh wait, it doesn’t matter because battery mining, manufacturing, or moving doesn’t happen in Burlingame, or whatever other jurisdiction all-electric madness mandates is imposed. And of course, we haven't discussed the environmental costs of hazardous waste disposal. Meanwhile, Newsom is jet-setting across the globe in what undoubtedly is a carbon-spewing jet plane. Where is it this time, to Israel and then to China and then back? I guess Zoom wasn’t considered. Perhaps because it doesn’t create enough carbon emissions? But it's okay, because it's not in Burlingame. All hail the god of Woke.
I hope San Mateo is next. By the way, there are corded leaf blowers that are quite affordable and do not need a rechargeable battery.
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