Comment Log Display

Chair Randolph and Members of the Board, 
 
I am a homeowner in Sunnyvale and I support the adoption of new
regulations that will phase out the sale of highly-polluting
gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn equipment in California beginning
in 2024.  Please approve and amend the SORE regulations per the
staff recommendation.
 
As you know we are in a climate crisis.  There is no room left in
our carbon budget for polluting tools that have clean electric
options in the market.  As you also know, the use of gas-powered
leaf blowers and lawn mowers in particular causes numerous health
problems, and  degrades California's air quality. California
continues to fail to meet national air quality standards, which
means that millions of Californians breathe unhealthy air
everyday.
 
CARB's public health benefit analysis determined that these new
regulations, if adopted, will result in: 
$8.8 billion in health insurance benefits through 2043
892 premature deaths avoided
438 fewer emergency room visits for asthma 
311 fewer hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular
issues
The California Legislature also appropriated $30 million for your
agency to distribute to small proprietor landscapers to help them
begin to acquire and transition to new, zero emission electric and
manual equipment. This is in addition to subsidies and buy back
programs already led by air districts throughout the state.

This regulation will improve air quality, help to slow the climate
crisis, improve human health, and save lives.

Thank you for taking action,
Sincerely,
Kristel Wickham