ENCINITAS, Calif. (KGTV) - City leaders in Encinitas plan to ban gas-powered leaf blowers to help curb the effects of climate change.
They're hosting a public meeting about the ban Monday night, May 13, at 6 p.m. at the Encinitas Community Center (1140 Oakcrest Park Drive).
The ban is part of the City's bigger Climate Action Plan, which the City Council approved in January of 2018. It calls for a 41 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 when compared to 2012 baseline levels.
The plan says removing emissions from gas-powered leaf blowers would remove 142 Metric Tons of CO2 by 2030. That's the equivalent of taking roughly 25 cars off the road.
While it's not a huge improvement, people in Encinitas say every small step will help.
"I think they ought to be eliminated everywhere," says David Winkler, who goes to Encinitas to meet friends. "The less reliance on fossil fuels, the better."
"People come from all over the world here, so we should make it as clean and beautiful as we can," says Encinitas resident Linda, who declined to give her last name. "Anything we can do to lessen pollution is always a good thing."
Other North County cities already have bans in place. Solana Beach and Del Mar both prohibit the use of gas-powered leaf blowers.
City leaders in Encinitas say their rule is different because it bases the ban on environmental concerns, rather than noise pollution.
The ban only covers two-stroke leaf blowers. Other gas-powered tools like weed whackers and chain saws will still be allowed.
If the ban is approved, it will take effect immediately for all city-run operations. After three months, any business licensed to operate in Encinitas will have to comply. After six months, the ban will cover everyone else in the City.
The City has a website with more information about the ban and the overall Climate Action Plan.
