S1574

The New York State Senate passed legislation establishing a rebate program for electric landscaping equipment on a 51-9 vote, with the measure aimed at reducing emissions, improving air quality, and decreasing noise pollution from gas-powered equipment. Senate Print 1574, sponsored by Sen. Krueger, would authorize NYSERDA to use funds from the RGGI program and other sources to offer rebates for battery-operated landscaping equipment including mowers, leaf blowers, chain saws, and snowblowers. Eligibility is limited to landscaping businesses, municipalities, schools, nonprofits, and state agencies—excluding individual homeowners. The bill drew criticism from Sen. Walczyk and Sen. Murray, who questioned why individual homeowners were excluded despite the environmental and health benefits, and challenged the exclusion of corded electric equipment. Sen. Krueger noted that institutional users primarily purchase battery-operated equipment and that gas-powered lawn equipment in New York produced 1.4 million tons of climate pollution in 2020, equivalent to emissions from 300,000 cars annually. Sen. May spoke in favor, citing personal experience with noise pollution from landscaping equipment affecting a family member's health. Nine senators voted against the measure: Gallivan, Griffo, Lanza, Murray, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Walczyk, and Weik.