First Name | DARRYL |
---|---|
Last Name | BRAAKSMA |
Email Address | darryl.braaksma@alohasaw.com |
Affiliation | Green Valley Aloha Saw and Mower |
Subject | Attaining Zero Emissions |
Comment | I am greatly concerned the State of California has taken measures for attaining Zero Emissions by the elimination of Small Off-Road Engines will likely have a negligible effect in the quality of air and at a great expense and detriment of California residents and businesses. California HAS NOT demonstrated its ability to provide reliable electrical power. Currently blackouts and brownouts are a common occurrence throughout the state. Currently the source of electricity for California is dependent on 60% non-renewable energy. Logically, an increase in electrical demand would need to be derived from non-renewable energy such as coal and LPG. Hence, the employment of battery powered equipment will place greater demand on the fragile electrical grid which in turn will require a greater amount of non-renewable resources to generate the electricity. This is NOT creating a state of having Zero Emissions. An environment impact for battery powered equipment has not been published. A published report documenting the environmental impact and cost of Lithium battery production from cradle to grave. How much non-renewable fossil fuel is required for the production, recycle and disposal of the Zero-Emission battery? The Battery Powered Industry for outdoor powered equipment is in its early phase. The cost of Battery Powered Equipment is generally three times that of a gas powered equivalent and with a fraction amount of efficiency. For example, a common commercial backpack blower which costs $500 with a blowing force of 32 Newtons can be substituted with a Battery Powered Blower for $1600 having only 17 Newtons blowing force. At best, the current available Battery Powered Equipment is suited for residential user. Only for a limited number of applications does a battery powered tool make sense for commercial applications. For example, a tree arborist will employ the small battery powered chainsaw whilst high in a tree for safety reasons. The largest battery powered chainsaw can power a small 18" bar whereas the forestry and fire response requires bars twice size in length. In terms of equivalent chainsaw power, the largest battery powered chainsaw is roughly equivalent to a 30cc gas powered chainsaw. A gas powered chainsaw designed for a 36" bar requires at least an 80cc gas powered engine. Hence there is no suitable battery powered equipment for forestry or fire fighting gas powered equipment, and the list goes on. From my perspective, California should not be banning gas powered outdoor equipment 1) until it has demonstrated the ability to provide reliable and affordable derived from Zero-Emission renewable energy; 2) until a fully documented environmental impact report documents the employment of batteries for powered equipment, from cradle to grave, will ultimately consume less non-renewable CO2 emitting energy; 3) without compliance with 1 & 2, at most the ban should apply to residential use only. My Sincere Regards, Darryl Braaksma |
Attachment | www.arb.ca.gov/lists/com-attach/904-sore2021-B2RTNFwvBDULUgk7.docx |
Original File Name | CARB 29 November 2021.docx |
Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2021-11-29 11:31:44 |
If you have any questions or comments please contact Clerk of the Board at (916) 322-5594.