Montgomery County Executive Elrich Applauds County Council’s Approval of Phase Out of Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers and Leaf Vacuums

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is applauding the County Council’s passage of Bill 18-22, which will phase-out the sale and use of gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums. The Council voted10-1 to enact the bill, which is an amended version of the legislation County Executive Elrich sent to the Council last year. The bill will be signed into law by the County Executive and is the latest step in the County’s continued efforts to reduce noise pollution.

“It is time to acknowledge and address the negative impacts of gas-powered leaf blowers,” said County Executive Elrich. “Transitioning away from gas-powered leaf blowers is beneficial for our communities by reducing noise pollution and protecting workers. I want to thank the many residents who advocated
tirelessly for this legislation.”

The law will:
• Prohibit sale of gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums starting July 1, 2024.
• Prohibit use of gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums starting July 1, 2025.
• Authorize a rebate program to partially offset the cost of replacing a gas-powered leaf blower or leaf
vacuum with an electric leaf blower or leaf vacuum.
• Exempt the use of gas leaf-blower equipment for agricultural producers.
• Maintain noise ordinance limits for leaf blowers and leaf vacuums not to exceed 70 decibels at 50 feet.

“Converting to electric-powered leaf blowers is a pivotal step toward protecting our community and the people who operate landscape equipment,” said Jon Monger, director of the County’s Department of Environmental Protection. “This bill not only solidifies our County’s commitment to addressing noise
concerns, but coupled with incentives, we can help ensure an equitable transition to this safer technology.”

For more information on Bill 18-22, including the Sept. 26, 2023, County Council staff report, click here . The final approved version of the bill is not yet available online. It should be posted online later this week. To watch the Council session, click here .

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Media Contacts: Nordea Lewis, Nordea.lewis@montgomerycountymd.gov / Mary Travaglini, DEP
Program Manager, 240-777-7709, or mary.travaglini@montgomerycountymd.gov ]

Release ID: 23-424
Media Contact:
Categories: Environment

For updates and link to press release, see here: http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=44066