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Ottawa’s municipal government is banning gas-powered lawn equipment like noisy leaf blowers and exhaust-spewing leaf blowers.
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Rideau-Rockcliffe Coun. Rawlson King was supported by the majority of councils’ standing committees on environmental protection and water management. This will allow Rawlson to begin phasing out gas-guzzling gear as quickly as possible.
King said that Ottawa has beautiful green spaces. However, maintaining them should not compromise the health of the entire community.
The proposal is supported by city staff. After evaluating the performance of small chainsaws, trimmers, and battery-powered blowers in municipal operations between spring/fall, they plan to report back on the green equipment plan to council by the end.
The committee was told that the transition from battery-powered gear will take about $350,000. Batteries will make up a large portion of this cost.
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The pilot program would be applied to the public works department and environmental services department. This is where most of the gas-powered machinery is used. Other departments will assess their inventories and evaluate how the pilot program works out.
Dan Chenier, who is the general manager for parks and facilities, stated that there are 224 pieces gas-powered equipment in his division and that he is interested in participating the phaseout plan.
However, Ottawa Fire Services’ Deputy Chief Dave Matschke claimed that there are more than 300 gas-powered emergency instruments available for firefighters and there are no viable alternatives.
Two councillors asked if current battery technology can handle city’s landscaping needs.
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Osgoode Coun. George Darouze indicated that larger properties in the countryside will require more power to blow leaves and trim hedges. Darouze warned that the city could face additional problems and increased costs by switching to battery-powered equipment.
Darouze suggested that a pilot program could be applied to smaller urban parks.
Kanata South Coun. Allan Hubley was skeptical, too. He also stated that he couldn’t finish his lawn cutting with a battery-powered mower and had to purchase more batteries.
Hubley and Darouze voted against the proposal.
Jean Cloutier and Keith Egli, Catherine McKenney and Shawn Menard, Scott Moffatt, King, supported the plan.
The initial pilot program for municipal governments would not include lawnmowers.
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King said that if the city wants reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as noise pollution, then it must take action immediately.
Moffatt, chair of the committee, stated that the proposal would allow for transitions to battery-powered equipment only when it is available and still meets the city’s operational needs.
On April 13, the Council will review the recommendations of the committees.
The municipal governments’ equipment would not be affected by the gas-powered landscaping tools being phased out. The National Capital Commission plans to also stop using gas-powered lawn mowers in 2023.
Menard encouraged staff members to look at what a blanket ban of gas-powered lawn mowers would look like in Ottawa, in case it is something the council wishes to pursue next term.
