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Portland considers ban on gas-powered leaf blowers amid climate, health concerns

Portland City Council is considering a ban on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers starting in 2026 to curb the effects of climate change and reduce health impacts.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland City Council is considering a ban on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers starting in 2026.

The proposed ordinance would phase out the use of gas-powered leaf blowers over two years. If approved, starting in 2026 private and commercial use of all gas-powered leaf blowers would be banned in the city. However, during the fall and early winter, gas-powered blowers would still be permitted through 2028, as the latest electric leaf blower technology is not strong enough for removing wet leaves, according to the city.

The reasons behind the city’s proposed ban include health and climate concerns, air and noise pollution, and a disproportionate impact those have on minority and low-income communities.

Most gasoline leaf blowers have two-strike engines that “incompletely combust their fuel,” which can result in benzene emissions and other toxins that can lead to negative health and climate effects.

Commissioner Carmen Rubio, sponsor of the proposal, said that the ban would get the city closer to its shared vision of a healthy, equitable and clean Portland. 

If passed, Portland would join the more than 100 other cities in the nation that have either limited the use of gasoline leaf blowers or banned.

The ban would be enforced by Multnomah County. The first violation would be a warning, but following violations may receive penalties up to $1,000.

So far, 86% of people are in support of the ban. Most of the opposition has been over potential cost increases and short timeframe to transition equipment to electric. To assist with the transition, eligible businesses would be able to receive a rebate through Multnomah County to replace gasoline equipment with electric.

“The phase out of gasoline powered leaf blowers will hopefully mark the beginning of a new chapter in our work on climate,” said Multnomah County’s Sustainability Director John Wasiutynski.

As for the timeframe, city staffers said that they are seeing a growing demand for electric leaf blowers, similar to the renaissance seen with hybrid and all-electric vehicles, as more cities adopt stricter laws.

The proposed ban will go back to Portland City Council on March 13.

Local landscaper Malik Hopkins, who owns and operates Hopkins PDX Services, started his business four years ago. He told KGW that he uses some electric blowers, but still relies on the gas-powered ones — at least for now.

Hopkins said he's happy to make a change for the sake of the environment but pointed out a few of the challenges. 

"It's good for the environment; it’s a lot better. But it’s kind of a pro-con thing," he said. "It’s going to affect a lot of people, especially people who cannot afford it (like) guys that are starting out. Those batteries will go for about two or 300 bucks."

Hopkins said the batteries don't last as long as a tank of gas, and electric leaf blowers are not as powerful as the gas-powered. However, Hopkins added he's personally noticed the technology getting better over the last two years. 

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