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Thursday, February 27, 2025

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Trump memo tells federal agencies how to conduct mass layoffs; Latinos in NM, nation urged to boycott national retailers over DEI curbs; Advocates await impacts of industrial sludge law a year later; Hearing today in CA on lawsuit to halt firings of federal workers; Push grows to save Dolly Parton's book program in Indiana.

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The House has passed a budget outline. Elon Musk attends first Trump cabinet meeting. And federal workers leave jobs despite litigation allowing them to stay.

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U.S. farmers in limbo due to federal funding freeze worry their projects will go unrealized, mass firings could wreak havoc on tourists visiting public lands this summer, while money to fight wildfires in rural areas is also jeopardized.

Report: Why Arizonans should switch to electric lawn equipment

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Tuesday, October 31, 2023   

Arizonans who transition to cleaner electric-powered lawn and garden equipment can help mitigate the noise as well as the harmful fumes produced from gas-powered tools. A new report
shows in 2020 gas-powered lawn and gardening tools in the U.S. released more than 30 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Diane Brown, executive director of the Arizona PIRG Education Fund, said Arizona alone emitted an estimated 330 tons of fine particulates into the air. To put that into perspective, that amount is equivalent to the pollution from over 3.5 million cars. She added these tiny particles cause millions of premature deaths each year and are also responsible for health problems like cancer, reproductive ailments and mental health problems.

"Arizona households and commercial entities can wack away at air pollution by switching to electric lawn equipment that is capable. affordable, cleaner, quieter and readily available," Brown explained.

Brown added while electric lawn equipment can sometimes have a higher initial price tag, she contends money can actually be saved overtime due to lower fuel and maintenance costs.

Financial assistance is available for residents in Pima
and Maricopa Counties through a partnership with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Large commercial grade lawn mowers can also qualify for the EV tax credit through the Inflation Reduction Act.

Brown said gas-powered gardening equipment emit numerous toxic chemicals, which many times are used in close proximity to homes, and added Arizona residents and commercial groups who live outside Pima and Maricopa Counties should call on policy makers to expand the ADEQ partnership. She said local and state governments and institutions can also do their part, leading through example by adopting electric lawn equipment.

"Policymakers should incentivize lawn and consumer products that shift from gas to electric to save consumers money, protect air quality, and promote public health," she continued.

The group is asking Arizonans in support of phasing out
gas powered lawn equipment to send messages to Governor Katie Hobbs to advocate for cleaner air.

Disclosure: Arizona PIRG Education Fund contributes to our fund for reporting on Civic Engagement, Consumer Issues, Energy Policy, Urban Planning/Transportation. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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