Climate-action group to look into future of gas-powered leaf blowers in Oak Bay

A proposal for a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers in Oak Bay will return to council if the municipality’s climate-action group decides it’s a priority.

Coun. Tara Ney brought the idea of a ban to council on Monday. Council referred the issue to a newly created climate-action working group, which is responsible for identifying and recommending to council five top actions to address climate change. The recommendations are expected in March.

The group will consider public input, and Ney urged community members to attend working-group meetings and council meetings to voice their opinions.

“The community is really engaged on this topic. It certainly shows that the issue matters to a lot of people in different ways. I think we have to pay attention to that,” Ney said.

Professional landscapers have criticized the idea of a ban, saying they won’t be able to provide the level of service expected at a price customers are willing to pay.

Battery-powered leaf blowers and rakes are an alternative, but landscapers say they can’t compare to the power of the gaspowered versions.

Ney’s motion raised concerns about the emissions produced by gas-powered leaf blowers, pointing to research by the California Air Resources Board, a state agency tasked with protecting the public from the effects of air pollution.

According to the agency, using the bestselling commercial leaf-blower for one hour emits as much smog-forming pollution as driving about 1,770 kilometres in a 2017 Toyota Camry.

By contrast, the agency equates the emissions from one hour of lawnmower use to driving about 480 kilometres in the same vehicle.