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Seattle Starts Transition To Electric-Powered Leaf Blowers
Original source: US Times Post
SEATTLE — The City of Seattle is about to begin its transition away from gas-powered leaf blowers.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell issued the directive in May outlines the steps for city departments to begin the transition to electric leaf blowers. This order comes after the Seattle City Council passed Resolution 32064 in September 2022.
32064 . resolution directed the City of Seattle and its contractors to phase out the use of gas-powered leaf blowers by 2025 “or later as necessary” and to discontinue use of Seattle businesses and residents. in 2027.
According to the mayor, the major uses of leaf blowers in the city are Parks and Recreation, Seattle City Light, Seattle Center and Public Utilities. In total, the City of Seattle currently has 427 gas-powered leaf blowers and 77 electric leaf blowers.
Harrell’s directive requires every department to purchase only electrically powered leaf blowers beginning July and requires one representative from each division to join the transition team.
By the end of the year, each city department will have to carry out an assessment of the current charging capacity in each of their facilities and whether an upgrade is needed. A transition plan will also be required that includes phasing out at least 50% of gas-powered leaf blowers by 2025, 75% by 2026 and 100% by 2027.
The technology in electric leaf blowers isn’t currently on par with gas, and Harrell explains that a more immediate, widespread change would have a big impact on “maintaining the cityscape.”
Several future considerations for the city were also included, including the use of electric vans to improve mobile phone charging, landscape design tweaked to limit the need for blowers. leaves and invest in upgrading electrical capacity at departmental facilities.
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