As spring arrives in Connecticut, the unmistakable sound of gas-powered leaf blowers fills the air as homeowners prepare their lawns for new mulch and flowers. However, state lawmakers are once again considering a ban on these ubiquitous landscaping machines.
The proposed legislation, HB 6263, would prohibit the use or sale of gas-powered leaf blowers statewide after January 1, 2029. Under the bill, the state and local towns would be required to devise a plan to begin phasing out these machines by January 1, 2027.
A recent public hearing before the legislature’s Environment Committee saw passionate testimony from both sides of the debate. Proponents, including Yale doctors and the American Lung Association, argue that the bill is necessary to protect public health and the environment. On the other hand, landscapers, golf course owners, and certain town leaders expressed concern over the financial burden the ban would place on businesses and homeowners, as well as the potential risks to public safety, such as the use of leaf blowers in firefighting.
Several towns, including Greenwich, Norwalk, and Stamford, already have restrictions or bans on the machines, with similar measures in place in California, Colorado, Arizona, Hawaii, and Vermont. However, the debate remains heated, with some residents expressing strong opposition. One such submission read: “NO TO TYRANT GOV CLIMATE SCAM,” with another concerned citizen stating, “NO NO NO NO TO ALL THE STUPID TYRANNICAL IDEAS CT HAS.”
As the bill moves through the legislative process, Connecticut’s future with gas-powered leaf blowers remains uncertain.
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