SPOKANE, Wash. -- Taking care of your yard may become more difficult, as a pre-filed new Washington law could ban gas-powered lawnmowers, chainsaws, and more.
Washington Representative Amy Walen has pre-filed a bill that would ban gas-powered outdoor equipment in an effort to combat climate change.Â
Spokane Power Tools is a go-to for those searching for outdoor equipment, but the owner says this industry could face major challenges if this bill passes.
Lower cost and higher efficiency are two main reasons why many people would prefer gas tools. House Bill 1868 would give you no choice but to go electric.
"It would definitely take more time. There would be struggles finishing a task with a battery, one because of the fact you'd be constantly changing out those batteries as opposed to just changing a gas tank real quick," said Mike Christiansen, owner of Spokane Power Tools.
The bill states that gas and diesel outdoor tools emit air pollutants that add to climate change and impact health.
The bill also cites a study from the Environmental Protection Agency that says one hour of a gas lawnmower can contribute as muchsmog-forming pollution as driving a passenger car 300 miles.
Christiansen says a major change like this is just not realistic in Washington state.
"Eastern Washington here, we get a lot of snow, and trying to tackle large amounts of snow with a battery-operated snowblower could be quite difficult and you'd have to have a whole bucket of batteries to get through it," Christiansen said.
The bill would incentivize the transition with temporary sales and use tax relief, and a grant program.
"The industry has answered with a lot of battery equipment, but it's just not going to answer all the needs of the landscapers, professionals," Christiansen said.
Spokane Power Tools has been selling gas products for 50 years. Christiansen says if this bill passes, difficulties would follow for his business and many others.
"There would be some challenges surrounding that, so we'll have to wait and see and we'll address it when it comes," he said.
If passed, this law would ban gas and diesel equipment from being produced after 2026, or sooner.
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