LM Leaf Blower Ban Not Working Out Well
By Bob Small
Lower Merion, last November, became the first municipality in Pennsylvania to ban gas-powered leaf blowers.
“Air pollutants released by gas leaf blowers include benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, all of which can have negative impacts on one’s health,” it explained.
Replacing these with electric-powered leaf blowers, however, has been found to be prohibitively expensive.
Also, many note “that the technology for equivalent electric leaf blowers is not quite fully developed yet. “
And Lower Merion is “considering spending $83,000 on more staff to keep up with the volume of reported violations. “
There have been “437 complaints”. The ban depends on “resident reporting”.
Can you say Oceania?
Big Brother (and sister we are sure) is certainly watching.
Lower Merion officials say this policy has created “tremendous stress”.
The proposed upgrade would make the Lower Merion Administrative Clerk full-time and add $48, 000” to the 2027 budget. Hiring “a season code compliance officer for 22 weeks of the year would add an additional $35,000”.
These upgrades would be necessitated due to enforcement of the Gas Powered Leaf Blower regulations.
To see the exact wording of these regulations, go to Gas Powered Leaf Blower Regulations
Besides Lower Merion, Haverford and Radnor are considering Gas Powered Leaf Blower regulations. Swarthmore regulations have been postphoned for further review.
See also
Lower Merion Leaf Blower Ban: 437 Complaints, New Costs
And https://freerepublic.com search Lower Merion gas leaf blower ban
