Fairfax County furthers push to replace gas leaf blowers with electric devices

Fairfax County is steadily making progress on efforts to cut its use of gas-powered leaf blowers.

By the end of June next year — the conclusion of the 2024 fiscal year — the county plans to ensure that the supply of electric blowers and string trimmers is nearly 50% electric, according to John Silcox, a spokesperson for the Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination.

That means that 105 of the 217 leaf blowers owned and operated by the county will be powered by electric batteries.

“As funding allows, agencies will continue to replace aging gas models with new electric equipment,” Silcox said.

The effort is part of a countywide initiative to shift toward eco-friendly practices that reduce the county government’s carbon footprint overall.

In the fiscal year 2024 budget, for example, the county will replace 55 gas-powered leaf blowers with electric ones.

The county says transitioning to electric-powered lawn equipment will help reduce carbon emissions, noise and costs.

“Even as Fairfax County’s facilities are making the switch to battery-powered blowers and other electric equipment, we encourage residents and contractors to do the same,” Silcox said.

The effort has been underway since at least November 2021.

Read more on FFXnow…