Phaseout possible as early as 2026, but possibly not until 2030 — if at all
By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news
The city of Ashland’s Climate and Environmental Advisory Committee is inviting residents and lawn and garden maintenance businesses to an event this week “to share their ideas and perspectives on a draft strategy to phase-out the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment,” according to a release from the city.
Residents will have a chance to comment on a plan affecting gas-powered blowers, string trimmers, non-commercial chainsaws, hedge trimmers, and lawn mowers. These various forms of gasoline-powered small engines could be “phased out” by 2030 and possibly as early as 2026 or 2027 on lots of a half-acre or smaller, the release said. An incentive program will be considered to assist in the switch to electric lawn and garden tools.
The meeting begins at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, in the Siskiyou Room at 51 Winburn Way, and is scheduled to wrap up by 5 p.m.
Those who cannot attend the event can send written comment to Chad Woodward, Ashland Electric Department, Climate and Energy Analyst, 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, OR 97520, or to his email at chad.woodward@ashland.or.us.
Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at morganr@ashland.news.
Sept. 25: Start time corrected to say 3 p.m., not 5 p.m., which is the end time.
