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Hi-
I just wanted to weigh in here. I've owned and operated Down to
Earth Landscaping for 24 years now in the East Bay and I am a
strong advocate for the environment and the health of our workers.
While I agreed with the ban on gas leaf blowers because of its
direct impact on workers health and the environment, most
landscapers have not stopped using them. On any given day in an
area that hires gardeners, I'll see most if not all gardeners are
still using the banned equipment with no enforcement. We made the
switch and it has been a challenge. The equipment requires constant
maintenance because they're not made for commercial use (though
their price tag is high as if they are), there are limited vendors
who repair them and they require constant charging, limiting where
and when they can be used.
I don't agree with a ban on gas mowers. While we have been reducing
the amount of lawns we install, the ones that are out there growing
still require cutting and battery and electric options aren't for
commercial use. This will result in constant cost and headache for
the companies who are following the rules while most gardeners who
are not operating legally will continue to do things their way and
the homeowners who hire them will continue to support them. Without
enforcement, these bans are useless and enforcement would only
create a further rift between those of us following the law and the
vast majority who are being hired as gardeners who don't and won't.

Thanks for reading,
Jesica