During a lengthy public hearing on Tuesday, many landscapers told members of the Montgomery County Council the switch from gas powered to electric leaf blowers will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and make their work much harder.
At the same two-hour hearing, many residents protested the loud noises, and health and environmental issues resulting from gas powered leaf blowers.
Gas Powered Blower Ban Began July 1
Currently, the County bans gas-powered leaf blowers by professional landscapers. But Councilmember Gabe Albornoz recently proposed an amendment to delay enforcement during October through January for the next three years, so landscapers have more time to handle the changes.
The ban does not apply to individual homeowners. It does apply to private property, commercial property, local government and county government. It does not apply to Montgomery County Public Schools or Montgomery Parks as these properties are managed by the state.
The Cost of Compliance
Many landscapers testified that they spent a lot of money to purchase new electric-powered blowers, multiple battery packs and battery chargers.
They noted the electric equipment is heavier, causing back issues to workers. Electric equipment also is not nearly as effective when picking up wet leaves. Another complaint dealt with the down time of frequently charging batteries.
Jim Brown, president of Poolesville Board of Commissioners, spoke in favor of delaying enforcement. He said that would support workers who live in Poolesville and those who work in the agricultural reserve.
“It’s really expensive” to change to electric equipment in a time when it is already hard to stay financially afloat, he said. Poolesville needs to spend $50,000 to convert, and that is “$50,000 we don’t have.”
Mauricio Vasquez from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Montgomery County urged councilmembers to “support, not penalize, workers.”
Paul Kolanowski, owner of Collin’s Landscape, said his company has spent more than $62,000 “simply to be compliant with the law.”
Other landscapers urged the County Council to give private landscapers more time for the technology to improve so electric-powered leaf blowers can match the effectiveness of the current gas blowers.
Residents in Favor of the Ban
Tricia Swanson, who spoke on behalf of County Executive Marc Elrich, said the delay “would be a step backwards.” She pointed out the County offers a rebate to help landscapers purchase new equipment. Hundreds of landscapers have received that financial rebate, she said.
Some residents talked about not being able to work at home due to the loud noises from the gas-powered leaf blowers. Others questioned the need for leaf removal at all.
“The ban on gas powered leaf blowers is fantastic and it needs to remain,” said Robert Portanova. “The noise is astronomical,” he added.
Kit Gage, from Friends of Sligo Creek, urged the council not to delay enforcement. A ban is bad for the health of everyone, including the landscapers, she said. She questioned why the delay would take place in the fall when the blowers are used the most.
The Council’s Transportation and Environment Committee will discuss the proposed amendment to delay enforcement on July 28.
More than 45 people spoke during the public hearing.
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