The ban on gas powered leaf blowers in Montgomery Count, MD is due to take effect on July 1, 2025. Yet there is one more attempt to weaken the law.  This week, Councilmember Albornoz introduced legislation that would create a three year carve out for weekdays from 8am-8pm between Oct - Dec for the gas blowers.  The bill is cosponsored by Councilmembers Luedtke, Balcombe, and Katz (so they would need two more members to support for a majority of the 11-member council).  

It is URGENT that petition signers oppose this legislation and with your support it CAN BE DEFEATED. The council will have a hearing on July 15 at 1:30pm on this.  What we need you to:

Email the other councilmembers urging them to reject this legislation. Also, email Dawn Luedtke reminding her when she ran in 2022 she supported the phase out.  You can remind them that this was already debated by the council when it voted 10-1 to phase out the gas blowers, that many areas (such as Washington DC) have long since effectively moved on from this issue (and are enjoying the benefits), this is a good move for the health of the landscape workers, and that the county has already provided over $300,000 in assistance to help transition to the new equipment (with more to be spent in the upcoming year).  

Please also consider submiting a version of any correspondence as testimony for the July 15 Council hearing on the issue.  You can do so at the following link (for Bill 19-25):

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/PHSignUp.html  

Email addresses below:

Councilmember.Stewart@montgomerycountymd.gov

Councilmember.Jawando@montgomerycountymd.gov

Councilmember.Glass@montgomerycountymd.gov

Councilmember.Sayles@montgomerycountymd.gov

Councilmember.Fani-Gonzalez@montgomerycountymd.gov

councilmember.friedson@montgomerycountymd.gov

Councilmember.Mink@montgomerycountymd.gov

Councilmember.Luedtke@montgomerycountymd.gov