Sunflower Alliance

Resisting fossil fuels. Working for climate justice.

CARB: Cut Pollution from Lawnmowers, Leaf Blowers: By June 30

Tell the California Air Resources Board to cut pollution from small off-road engines (SORE). (primarily lawn and garden equipment). These small engines are extremely polluting. For example, operating a leaf-blower for one hour pollutes as much as driving a car from LA to Denver. SORE emissions are expected to surpass car emissions in California within the next couple years.

The California Air Resources Board is considering new regulations that would cut pollution from these engines.  CARB held an online public workshop on the proposed changes on June 9 and invites written public comment until June 30.  (staff report for the public workshop– They are slides.)
The changes being considered would require improved efficiency and decrease fuel spills and evaporation for SOREs produced 1/1/2023 or later, require further decreases for 1/1/ 2025, and zero emissions for those produced after 1/1/28.  text of proposed regulations

CARB must give a 2-year lead time, so regulations finalized in late 2020 can apply to SOREs produced after 1/1/2023 at the earliest.   A number of people who attended the public workshop asked why the incremental improvements (with complex testing and certification) are in 2023 and 2025, delaying the Zero Emission requirement until 2028.  The CARB representatives said CARB could require all SOREs sold in California and produced after 1/1/23 to be zero emission, and they want to hear from the public on the timeline.

Comments should be sent by June 30 to

  • Dorothy Fibiger, Ph.D. – SORE lead(916) 324-8426, Dorothy.Fibiger@arb.ca.gov and/or
  • Christopher Dilbeck, Ph.D. – Manager(916) 319-0106, Christopher.Dilbeck@arb.ca.gov

More background on SOREs

“Today, operating the best-selling commercial lawn mower for one hour emits as much smog-forming pollution as driving the best-selling 2017 passenger car, a Toyota Camry, about 300 miles –approximately the distance from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.
For the best-selling commercial leaf blower, one hour of operation emits smog-forming pollution comparable to driving a 2017 Toyota Camry about 1100 miles, or approximately the distance from Los Angeles to Denver.”  Fact Sheet on Small Engines in California

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The Sunflower Alliance consists of grassroots individuals and organizations committed to environmental justice and the health and safety of  San Francisco Bay Area communities threatened by toxic pollution and climate disruption.  We’re an all-volunteer group helping to build an equitable and regenerative economy—fueled by renewable energy, love of Mother Earth, and the vigorous pursuit of justice.  Let’s go!

 

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