Comment Log Display

I am a resident of Los Angeles, and want to express my full support
for the adoption of new regulations that will phase out the sale of
highly-polluting gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn equipment in
California beginning in 2024.

I have personal experience of the polluting effects of old, poorly
maintained gas-powered gardening equipment. On a daily basis in my
neighborhood of Westchester, garden service providers come into the
neighborhood and create a triple whammy of pollution from excessive
noise, toxic air pollution caused by the equipment itself, and
toxic air pollution caused by blowers that launch street level dirt
into the air (including the heavy metals present on our hardscape
surfaces). I'm sick of it in every sense and want this stopped.

The use of gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers in particular
causes numerous health problems, and greatly contributes to
California's notoriously poor air quality. California continues to
fail to meet national air quality standards, which means that
millions of Californians like myself breathe unhealthy air
everyday.
 
CARB's public health benefit analysis determined that these new
regulations, if adopted, will result in: 
$8.8 billion in health insurance benefits through 2043
892 premature deaths avoided
438 fewer emergency room visits for asthma 
311 fewer hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular
issues
The California Legislature also appropriated $30 million for your
agency to distribute to small proprietor landscapers to help them
begin to acquire and transition to new, zero emission electric and
manual equipment. This is in addition to subsidies and buy back
programs already led by air districts throughout the state.

This regulation will improve air quality, help to slow the climate
crisis, improve human health, and save lives.

We have an existing city ordinance that prohibits this gas-powered
equipment. Isn't it time to enforce it?
 
Please approve and amend the SORE regulations per the staff
recommendation. 

Thank you,

Sam Butler