New Jersey is taking aim at gas-powered leaf blowers with a bill supporters hope will see action before the trees start shedding their leaves this fall.
The bill (S217) would ban some gas leaf blowers for most of the year in the state, give credits of up to 50% to people who buy electric ones, and let towns retain money they get from enforcing violations.
The measure’s sponsor, state Sen. Bob Smith, D-Middlesex, who chairs the Senate’s Environment and Energy committee, said it’s meant to cut down on air and noise pollution.
“Gas-powered leaf blowers have for years been a scourge on the local environment. Not only are they massive polluters, but they are also a nuisance to people trying to enjoy the outdoors,” Smith said in June, when the bill cleared his committee.
“There are an abundance of cheap electric alternatives, which are quieter, safer to operate, and less harmful for the environment.”
Towns already have the ability to ban gas-powered blowers. The bill would make the practice statewide.
Environmental groups have said leaf blowers contribute to air pollution. Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey, told The Associated Press that more than 100 cities across the U.S. have banned or restricted gas-powered leaf blowers.
Landscapers have raised concerns because they say the bill wouldn’t cover the complete cost of transitioning to electric.
“New Jersey is bombarded with leaves and stuff to clean up,” said Rich Goldstein, president of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association told the AP.
“We’re not California, we’re not Florida. We have leaves. The average house in New Jersey, you take away 30 to 50 cubic feet of leaves each fall. That’s a lot of leaves,” he said.
The original bill called for the ban of all leaf blowers, but amendments lengthened the period for the sales ban and would ban gas powered leaf blowers that use a two stroke engine.
Two stroke engines are considered less efficient.
Four stroke engines, which emit less pollution and often use synthetic oil, would be allowed in nonresidential areas for the spring and fall.
The ban wouldn’t apply to leaf blowers used for pest management purposes and towns would be allowed to regulate it if they could show their local laws were more stringent than the legislation.
Also, news media outlets wouldn’t be penalized for accepting advertising from those companies.
Violations could range from $500 to $1,000 for a commercial entity for each violation. The legislation would also allow for each violation to stack up for consecutive days.
Individuals would receive a warning and up to a $25 penalty. The state Superior Court and municipal courts would have jurisdiction over the proceedings.
The bill still has a way to go before final passage. It was referred to the Senate Budget committee last month. Once the bill makes it out of the committee, it goes to the full state Legislature. If passed by both houses, the governor can sign it, veto it, or suggest changes. The Legislature is expected to return to Trenton in the fall.
Jelani Gibson may be reached at jgibson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X at @jelanigibson1 and on LinkedIn.