Bainbridge Island considers gas-powered equipment ban

EDITOR'S NOTE: The full, original story comes from the Bainbridge Review and can be found on its website.

Bainbridge Island leaders may soon prohibit the use of gas-powered outdoor tools, following the city’s own transition to electric tools over the last several years.

If BI City Council approves the ordinance, companies and residents who use gas landscaping implements—such as leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, lawn edgers, non-riding lawnmowers and weed whackers—may be required to switch to electric versions in the next two years.

To aid the transition, the city may open a tool library with electric equipment.

A gas-tool ban would be a straightforward way to make progress toward the city’s emissions reduction target, BI city manager Blair King said.

“What we’re talking about is fairly consistent with other actions the city has taken” to reduce its climate impact,” said King, referencing city vehicle electrification, its heat pump subsidy program and its push for home-compostable takeout utensils and containers.