RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. — California’s Air Resources Control Board just approved groundbreaking rules to reduce smog in what experts are calling the most significant clean air action since 2008. For some business owners, it's not that simple.
You can consider him an expert, Fernando (he declined to give his last name) has been working as a gardener for Zone 24 Landscaping for nearly 20 years, but he says he just can’t get as much done when he’s using an electric leaf blower.
“It’s not too much power because when it’s a lot of leaves.. the other one is very good," Fernando said.
The other blower is powered by gas, but soon, his boss, Elizabeth Burns will no longer be able to purchase them at all. New rules just approved by the California Air Resources Control Board aim to completely phase out gas powered lawn equipment and small generators beginning in 2024.
“To switch everything over to battery powered equipment is going to cost many thousands of dollars," said Burns.
Burns owns seven trucks, each with two lawn mowers, trimmers, edgers and weed eaters — all that will need to be replaced.
She says the good thing is all gasoline powered equipment bought before the deadline can still be used until it no longer works. Burns says she’s not opposed to the new rules, but feels the board is putting the cart before the horse.
“I’m very for it, however I think it needs to be pushed a little bit further so we have more technology and we have more infrastructure set in place," she explained.
As she makes her way back to the office, Burns passed another client’s home.
“It’s gonna be really difficult to get these hedges," she said. "We’re gonna burn through batteries like crazy.”
But the Coalition for Clean Air’s Policy Director, Bill Magavern says this is an excellent outcome for everyone who breathes air across California. His organization spearheaded this effort.
“It’s really shocking to find out that there’s more air pollution causing smog from these pieces of equipment combined than from all the cars on the road in California, combined," he said.
Magavern says the other new rule requires all heavy duty trucks get quarterly smog checks, a regulation that will take affect next year.
"It will save over 7,000 lives between now and 2050 and that’s really what we’re in it for is to save lives and improve people’s health," Magavern explained.
While there was very little opposition for the truck rule, Burns was joined by several other landscapers, RV manufacturers and groups who maintain trails, urging the board to reconsider or delay the new rules.
As for Fernando, he says he’s less worried about his potential health implications from the gas and just wants to use the tools that are most effective.
“It’s very good for everything," he said.
New power washers and portable gasoline generators will also need to be gasoline free beginning in 2028. Even though California has some of the strictest emissions regulations in the country, our state also has seven of the 10 cities with the worst air pollution in the U.S.