On September 16th the Anne Arundel Country Council will be voting on Proposed Bill No. 67-24. If passed, this bill would ban the sale and use of gas powered leaf blowers and vacuums for all Anne Arundel homeowners, farmers, schools, landscapers, contractors and government workers alike.  The assumption is that gas powered leaf blowers could easily be replaced with battery powered blowers to do the same job, but more quietly, without much problem.  I am a homeowner in Anne Arundel County and run a small landscape company and I can tell you that it is not the case.

Anne Arundel County is a leafy and beautiful place to live and work.  But it takes a lot of maintenance to keep it that way. Gas blower technology has advanced to the point that homeowners and landscapers can quickly, efficiently and cost effectively clean up their properties.  The same is not the case for battery technology.  At least not yet.

A brief comparison:

 

The industry standard GAS blower:

-Costs $650 to buy

-Blows a force of 48 Newtons

-Is 80 decibels loud at a 50 foot distance

-Can run all day with a  few fuel fill-ups

 

The most powerful BATTERY blower:

-Costs $1,300 to buy, includes 2 batteries (2x cost of gas blower)

-Blows a force of 26 Newtons (45% weaker than gas blower)

-Is 65 decibels at 50 feet (only 18% quieter than gas blower)

-Here is the kicker: the 2 batteries only last 1 hour of work time.  2 extra batteries costs $1,000 and because there is no way to charge these batteries quickly during the work day you would need 14 extra batteries to work 8 hours.  That is an additional $7,000 in batteries for a  total cost of $8,300 per blower.

From a commercial standpoint, to equip one work truck with 4 blowers to clear leaves in the fall- 4 Gas blowers would cost 4 x $650 = $2,600 plus a gas tank.

However, to equip one truck with 4 electric blowers and all the batteries it would need for a work day, the cost is 4 x $8,300 = $33,200.  

That cost impact on a small business is devastating. And these electric blowers would be operating with half the power of gas blowers all to be only 18% quieter.  Of course with half the power, jobs take twice as long, so we would be making a little bit less noise but for twice as long.  And the price of the jobs to the client would at least double, on labor cost alone.  

Our business and our employees’ livelihoods depend on being able to do quality work efficiently.  I assume if you have read this far, you also care about stewarding and maintaining the beauty of Anne Arundel County.  This proposed bill severely jeopardizes our industry but also negatively impacts all industries and residents from taking care of our properties and land.

 
Many companies (and I fear most) would not be able to afford the transition to all-battery blowers this quickly, before battery technology is ready.  This would have an immediate and destructive impact on the companies, and employees, and the industry.  And that would likewise have an immediate impact on cleanliness of the county and that would create a ripple effect throughout the county as homes and business and stores would become increasingly unkempt.  As would schools and government buildings.  And it will become harder for farmers to do their jobs.

While we understand the environmental concern that drives this proposal, and we support that, it is crucial to thoroughly consider the widespread logistical and economic implications and search for balanced solutions.  The technology is coming along and it makes sense to phase it in and even incentivize it when it is ready.  But to rush a ban before the new technology and equipment is able to handle the load, would be devastating.  

I urge you to oppose Proposed Bill No. 67-24. Please think about Anne Arundel County’s properties, local small businesses, farms, schools and parks and let’s find a way that won't threaten our livelihoods, our property values or negatively effect our local economy in an already challenging economic environment. The community counts on your voice - please, sign this petition today.  Thank you.