Trenton, NJ – Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order overturning Democratic policies that banned gas-powered appliances and outdoor equipment, such as stoves, lawnmowers, and leaf blowers.
Several bills are currently in progress in the Trenton legislature to ban gas leaf blowers, restrict gas appliances, and to further regulate gas heating systems.
The decision, praised by supporters as a win for consumer freedom, will significantly affect New Jersey, where state leaders have pushed strict limits on gas-powered tools and are pushing for either stricter state regulations.
The executive order, signed shortly after Trump’s inauguration, halts regulations that the administration says burden households and businesses.
It directs federal agencies to eliminate rules restricting gas-powered appliances, prioritizing consumer choice and economic relief. Trump criticized these policies as impractical, arguing they inflate costs and harm industries dependent on affordable energy.
“We’re stopping the attack on gas stoves, lawnmowers, and leaf blowers—things Americans rely on,” he said at a press event.
The order is expected to curb federal support for state and local bans on gas-powered equipment, potentially weakening New Jersey’s efforts to restrict such tools.
New Jersey has been a leader in restricting gas-powered equipment, driven by environmental concerns. State lawmakers have advanced plans to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers, citing their emissions of pollutants like carbon monoxide. A proposed rebate program for electric alternatives further underscored the state’s shift toward electrification.
For residents and businesses, particularly landscaping companies reliant on gas-powered equipment, the order offers relief from costly transitions to electric tools, which can be less powerful and require expensive battery replacements.
Small business owners, like landscapers in suburban areas, may see reduced operating costs, preserving jobs in an industry that employs thousands statewide.
Economically, the policy shift could bolster New Jersey’s manufacturing and retail sectors tied to gas-powered appliances, supporting local jobs.
Politically, it may deepen divides, with Republican lawmakers cheering the move as a rebuke of overregulation, while Democrats argue it undermines progress on clean energy.
Will the voters care enough to jump ship? It’s unlikely as it’s not a hot topic in the Democrat run urban areas.