Lower Merion Twp. considering ban on gas-powered leaf blowers

We begin here at 4:30 with a new ban that's both raising eyebrows and bringing size of relief in one mainline community. Some neighbors and small business owners will have to get new leaf blowers soon. >> Lower Marian Township is banning gas powered leaf blowers come next year. Action News reporter Chad Pelli joins us live with details on what some say is a controversial ban. >> Yeah, Sarah. You know, for homeowners, it's certainly going to be an inconvenience and a little bit of a cost to switch over. But for residential and commercial landscapers, they are the ones who are really taking umbrage with this new ordinance. The gas powered leaf blower ban goes into effect June 1st of next year. The ban will be from June to October 1st, then also include January 1st to April 1st in 2027. In 2028, the ban will be from January to October. And in 2029, they are banned year round. >> I don't think it's fair. And >> Alberto Sanchez of Sanchez Landscaping works lower Marian. His father's company just invested thousands in gas powered leaf blowers this season. Now the company will have to pony up for electric equipment. >> With one of those, you only clean about one two houses. After that, you got to keep charging and use it again. Keep. So it's not really worth it. In the double whammy of the new ordinance, companies will not be allowed to use gas powered generators to charge their batteries. Lower Marian Township didn't provide anyone to go on camera, but the ordinance cited noise, pollution, and quality of life as factors for the new law. >> It might be more on on a motor, but everything is make noise at the end of the day. >> And fines will begin at a hundred bucks for the first offense, go up to $600 for the third offense. And this will be complaintbased enforcement. So if you're a homeowner and you really really like your gas powered leaf blower, well you better get along with your neighbors. I'm live in Lower Maren, Chad Pelli, Channel 6 Action News. Sarah, >> yeah, some good advice there, Chad. Thank you.