TRENTON, NJ – Legislation aiming to ban the sale and use of gas-powered leaf blowers in New Jersey has successfully passed through the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. The bill, spearheaded by Committee Chair Senator Bob Smith of Middlesex/Somerset, targets both two-stroke and four-stroke engine blowers that operate on gasoline or a gasoline-oil blend.
Senator Smith described gas-powered leaf blowers as significant environmental and social nuisances due to their high pollutant emissions and disruptive noise levels. He highlighted the availability of quieter, safer, and more environmentally friendly electric alternatives. Studies cited by the bill indicate that the pollution from one hour of operation by a standard gas-powered leaf blower equals that of a car running for over eight hours.
The proposed legislation, designated as S-217, would phase out the sale of two-stroke gas-powered leaf blowers within two years post-enactment, and their use within four years. Restrictions on four-stroke blowers would follow the same timeline, with limited exceptions for municipal and seasonal peak use.
Violations of the new regulations would carry stiff penalties, with fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 per offense. The bill narrowly advanced with a 3-2 committee vote, reflecting a contentious debate over the future of lawn care equipment in the state.