California’s Small Off-Road Engine (SORE) Sale Ban

On October 9, 2021, Assembly Bill No. 1346 was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom (2021 Bill Text CA A.B. 1346). The bill aims to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered equipment under 25 gross horsepower by 2024, known as small off-road engines (“SOREs”) (Willon, 2021). SOREs are primarily used in gas-powered lawn equipment, such as leaf blowers, lawnmowers, chainsaws, and pressure washers, but also extend to generators and other emergency response equipment (Id.). 

The bill states: “By July 1, 2022, the state board shall, consistent with federal law, adopt cost-effective and technologically feasible regulations to prohibit engine exhaust and evaporative emissions from new small off-road engines, as defined by the state board. Those regulations shall apply to engines produced on or after January 1, 2024, or as soon as the state board determines is feasible, whichever is later” (2021 Bill Text CA A.B. 1346). The legislation bans the sale of new SOREs by 2024, but will not ban the operation of the equipment purchased before the deadline (Willon, 2021).

Gas-powered lawn equipment produces incredibly high levels of pollution because they are not subject to nearly as much regulation as other, larger engines (SORE Fact Sheet). SOREs are especially pollutant because they do not fully combust the gasoline used to run them, resulting in high levels of particulate emissions, leading to increased smog, poor air quality, and negative health consequences (Id.). 

SOREs have proved to be a danger to the environment. In California, SOREs contribute more total nitrous oxide (NOx) and reactive organic gases (ROG) pollution than passenger cars do statewide (Id.). Operating a gas leaf blower for one hour can produce as many NOx+ROG emissions as driving 1,100 miles in a new passenger car (SORE Fact Sheet).

There are approximately 50,000 small businesses affected by this new law and to help with the transition, California has set aside $30 million to assist professional landscapers switch to no-emission equipment (Willon, 2021).

Source: SORE Fact Sheet

Source: SORE Fact Sheet

Opponents argue that zero-emission equipment is too expensive and less efficient than the existing gas-powered equipment (Id.). The National Association of Landscape Professionals, for example, believes a three-person crew will need to carry around 30-40 fully charged batteries to power its equipment during a full day’s work (Id.).

Although the Defend Them All Foundation recognizes and sympathizes with individuals and small businesses negatively impacted by AB-1346, it is important to understand the broader, positive impacts of this legislation. Smog is a danger to humans, the environment, and animals across the world (Smog, National Geographic). Smog irritates the respiratory system, reduces lung function, aggravates asthma, inflames and damages the lining of the lung, and may have other effects on people’s health (Smog-Who Does it Hurt?). Children, adults who are active outdoors, and immunocompromised people are most endangered by Smog (Smog-Who Does it Hurt?). Thus, to ensure a healthy environment for future generations, the transition away from pollutant machinery and unsustainable conduct is imperative.

Bold, but necessary, action is needed to combat climate change and the pollution of our environment. The Defend Them All Foundation applauds the work of the California Legislature and Governor for recognizing the dangerous effects of SOREs on our environment, animals, and fellow citizens.

References

  1. SORE Fact Sheet, California Air Resources Board, https://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/offroad/sm_en_fs.pdf.

  2. 2021 Bill Text CA A.B. 1346, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB1346

  3. Willon, California Moves Toward Ban on Gas Lawn Mowers and Leaf Blowers, Los Angeles Times (Oct. 9, 2021), https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-10-09/california-moves-toward-ban-on-gas-lawnmowers-and-leaf-blowers.

  4. Dow, California Bans Gas-Powered Lawn Equipment and Other ‘Small Off-Road Engines,’  Electrek (Oct. 11, 2021), https://electrek.co/2021/10/11/california-bans-gas-powered-lawn-equipment-and-other-small-off-road-engines/.

  5. Smog-Who Does it Hurt?, United States Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2018-03/smog.pdf.

  6. Smog, National Geographic, https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/smog/.

 
 
Lindsey Zehel