Two Democratic senators from Minnesota have introduced legislation to combat climate change by prohibiting the sale of gasoline-powered landscaping tools such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, and Zambonis.
The proposal by state Reps. Jerry Newton and Heather Edelson would only allow electric battery versions of these equipment to be marketed in the state beginning January 1, 2025. Any machines that use “a spark ignition engine rated at or below 19 kilowatts or 25 gross horsepower” are subject to the restriction.
Dem lawmakers push ban on gas-powered lawn mowers, chainsaws to curb ‘climate pollution’ https://t.co/3yrU5z329S pic.twitter.com/ZDuJjWYQL3
— New York Post (@nypost) February 18, 2023
The move follows the passage of a clean energy bill in Minnesota that requires 80% of electricity output to be carbon-free by 2030 and 100% by 2040.
While New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, and other Democrat-led cities advocate for fuel-burning appliance bans, Republicans oppose such measures. A Morning Consult poll found that 56% of Democrats support the ban, 56% of Republicans oppose it, and 39% of independents support it.
California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom, signed legislation prohibiting the sale of gas-powered leaf blowers and lawnmowers beginning in 2024, and the state’s Air Resources Board has declared that all new vehicles sold in California would be electric by 2035.
House Speaker Melissa Hortman stated Minnesota’s Democrats were dedicated to fighting climate change, and that “unchecked climate pollution threatens Minnesota’s future”.
