The idea of restricting gas leaf blowers is producing blowback in Haverford.
At last week’s commissioners meeting, a number of speakers pleaded with commissioners not to prohibit gas powered leaf blowers.
Neighboring Lower Merion Township is beginning a phased-in ban of the tools starting in June. Media has a limited ban on gas-powered blowers that was enacted in 2024, and Radnor Township is also considering a ban.
During public comment, resident Ed Dobbs asked if the small engine ordinance is coming to Havertown.
He said his company purchased electric leaf blowers, but said they don’t provide half the power of what gas blowers do.
Another resident said Lower Merion’s ban went through quickly.
Resident Brian Sprows said that when it comes to technology, he is an early adaptor to anything that can make him more efficient. He presented commissioners with a buyers guide on the equipment.
“I’m the first person to stand in line for any new piece of equipment that makes my life easier, more productive, less stressful on the body. However based on the state of this technology we are not there yet,” Sprows said. “Productivity of these blowers is approximately 17 minutes when it is wide open throttle.”
Sprows said it would cost his company $14,000 per blower to replace what they have, and the weight of the electric blower is actually heavier than gas blowers.
“It would go from 26 pounds to 36 pounds for the highest-power blower,” Sprows said, adding that would take a toll on his body and could force him out of his job.
“I just urge you to vote against it,” Sprows said.
Landscaper Nick Lynn said he has to give officials some tough love.
“I used to live in the township. I’m glad I got out,” Lynn started. “I’m 99 percent wasting my breath here because everyone knows the government isn’t here to help the working class, that’s both sides, Democrats and Republicans.”
Lynn then pointed to research indicating the sound decibels emitted between gas and electric are similar.
“Gas power is 112, electric is 94 DB’s,” Lynn said. “The emissions you are exporting to a third world for mining. It takes 2½ to three years for the batteries to pay off, emissions-wise.”
Lynn said with the duration of batteries, he would need eight to make it through one day and a $700 blower would turn into a $14,000 blower.
He also pointed to batteries sitting in high heat through a hot summer day as a fire hazard.
Lynn said the comparisons environmental organizations have made between the two machines uses consumer grade versus professional grade, and he recommended that if the township does move forward, any committee should include landscapers.
Comments from the board
Commissioner Michael McCollum said he would never vote for such an ordinance, and pointed to the major roads and traffic in the township, saying the ban would make no difference on air quality.
“I’m tired of this township trying to be like Lower Merion. We’re Haverford Township,” McCollum said.
Board Vice President Kevin McCloskey said there is nothing on their schedule about restricting gas blowers.
He did say the township volunteer environmental advisory committee held a presentation to the health board last month about ideas they have based on the Lower Merion measure.
McCloskey said at some point the environmental advisory committee will make a presentation to the commissioners on their analysis but that hasn’t happened yet. He acknowledged many township residents make their living landscaping but said he doesn’t know enough about it to have a position.
Commissioner Conor Quinn said he has three friends who are landscapers and they told him the proposal is a bad idea.
Commissioner Laura Cavender said it took Lower Merion two years to come up with the ordinance. She agreed a landscaper needs to be on any committee on the plan.
Commissioner Larry Holmes, who is known to take national issues and bring them to the local level, said banning two-cycle engines is not something that will be determined on the local level and he doesn’t like what Lower Merion did.
The Lower Merion ban
In Lower Merion, gas-powered leaf blowers will be prohibited from Jan. 1 to April 1 and then again from June 1 to Oct. 1.
By 2028, the gas-powered leaf blowers will be prohibited from Jan. 1 to Oct. 1.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2029 and every year after that, gas-powered leaf blowers will be totally prohibited in Lower Merion.
“Gas-powered leaf blowers create air pollution and noise pollution, contribute to climate change through the release of greenhouse gas emissions, and impair the health, social welfare, peace, and quality of life of persons residing and working in Lower Merion Township,” according to one section of the new ordinance. “The practice of blowing leaves and other debris for property maintenance has unintended environmental and health consequences. The blowing of leaves, dust, and debris causes fine particulate emissions and disruption to pollinator habitats. Exposure to fine particulate matter may impact workers using this equipment, individuals with respiratory conditions, children, and other vulnerable populations.”
Media presently has a partial gas blower restriction, which passed in 2024. That ordinance restricts gas blower use on school mornings.
Media said the goal is to improve the lives of all residents by transitioning away from noisy and dirty gas leaf blowers and other lawn equipment that have two-cycle gasoline powered engines.
The borough website states a pickup truck driving 1,100 miles emits the same amount of air pollution as a half-hour of yard work with a two-stroke, gas-powered leaf blower.
Media points to noise created by gas blowers travels long distances. And, it’s better to allow some leaves to remain where they fall, protecting some overwintering insects. Plus, returning mulched leaves to garden beds acts as fertilizer for plants and is a habitat for salamanders, snails and toads.
Main Line Times reporter Richard Ilgenfritz contributed to this article.