On Wednesday, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) unanimously approved regulations to restrict the use of gas-powered lawn equipment in the state. The measure, proposed by the Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG), aims to reduce air pollution and noise from lawn and garden equipment. The regulations were finalized in an 8-0 vote and will be enforced starting in 2025.
According to CoPIRG, gas-powered lawn equipment is a significant contributor to air pollution in Colorado, with an estimated 671 tons of fine particulate air pollution produced in the state in 2020. This is the equivalent of over 7 million cars on the road for a year. The organization also found that this type of equipment is responsible for a considerable amount of noise pollution as well.
The new regulations, known as Regulation 29, will ban the use of gas-powered lawn equipment with 25 horsepower or less on public property during the summer months of June to August. This includes lawnmowers, string trimmers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws. The goal is to reduce the carbon footprint of the state’s operations while also promoting the use of cleaner and quieter electric lawn equipment.
The commission’s decision was met with praise from environmental and political leaders in the state. Kirsten Schatz, clean air advocate at CoPIRG, stated that the vote is “the first step toward eliminating this unnecessary source of harmful air pollution” in Colorado. Republican Governor Jared Polis also showed his support, noting that the state is “leading the nation on commonsense ways to reduce pollution” with initiatives like this.
The AQCC action comes after Gov. Polis signed an executive order in September, directing state agencies to prioritize reducing air pollution in their operations. This order specifically included phasing out gas-powered lawn equipment and promoting the use of electric alternatives. The governor emphasized the importance of leading by example in addressing pressing issues like the climate crisis.
The commission’s regulation also calls for the state’s Air Pollution Control Division to track the market share of electric lawn equipment and consider further restrictions on commercial use and potential bans on the sale of gas-powered equipment in the future. This comprehensive approach to reducing air pollution from lawn and garden equipment demonstrates the state’s commitment to combating climate change.
The decision was not without opposition, however. Some lawn care companies and manufacturers of gas-powered equipment expressed concerns about the potential economic impact of the regulation. They argued that the switch to electric equipment may be costly for businesses and may not be as effective in certain situations, such as cutting tall grass.
Nevertheless, the AQCC and CoPIRG believe that the benefits of the regulation far outweigh any potential drawbacks. In addition to reducing air and noise pollution, the use of electric lawn equipment can also save municipalities and taxpayers money in the long run. The commission also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing to study and assess the impacts of the regulation to ensure its effectiveness.
With the approval of these regulations, Colorado becomes the first state in the nation to ban the use of gas-powered lawn equipment on public property. This bold move sets a strong precedent for other states to follow in the fight against air pollution and climate change. As Colorado continues to prioritize sustainability and protecting the environment, it can serve as a model for others to do the same.
