New jersey lawmakers push for complete ban on gas powered lawn mowers

TRENTON, N.J. — A new bill introduced in the New Jersey Legislature aims to phase out gas-powered lawn equipment statewide, prohibiting its sale within three years and its use within five. The bill, sponsored by Democratic Assemblymembers Herbert Conaway and Mila Jasey, seeks to curb emissions from gas-powered devices such as lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws, which contribute to air pollution and health risks.

This bill doesn’t just seek to make it illegal to buy gas powered lawn equipment. It is intended to criminalize the actual use of any gas powered lawn tools within 5 years.

The legislation would allow the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to extend the ban if it determines that compliance is not cost-effective or technologically feasible. The DEP would be required to assess factors such as emissions, equipment availability, and increased electricity demand from battery-powered alternatives.

Violators of the proposed law could face fines between $500 and $1,000 per offense, with state and local law enforcement agencies authorized to enforce the restrictions. The bill also includes a tax credit program to incentivize the purchase of zero-emission lawn equipment, with up to $150 in credits for electric-powered lawnmowers and snow blowers. The total amount of tax credits issued under the program would be capped at $500,000.

Supporters argue that gas-powered lawn equipment contributes to pollution and health risks, including heart and lung disease, and that electric alternatives are becoming more viable. “Gas-powered leaf blowers generate noise at a decibel level capable of causing hearing loss in a short amount of time,” the bill states. Opponents, including landscaping businesses, have raised concerns about cost and the performance of electric alternatives.

If enacted, the bill would require the DEP to finalize implementation rules within three years and report on the tax credit program’s effectiveness after four years. The proposed phase-out reflects a broader push toward reducing carbon emissions and promoting cleaner technology in the state.

Luckily, the bill has yet to move since it was introduced.

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