Gas-Powered Blowers Here To Stay In Summit: No Ban In 2022

SUMMIT, NJ — Summit Common Council announced that in 2022 it will not purse an amendment to the municipal noise ordinance that would ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in 2022.

According to announcement from the City, the Council will wait to consider any further action on this ordinance until supply chain issues are resolved and the outcome of two bills recently introduced in the New Jersey State Legislature to restrict gas-powered blower use is known.

In April 2021, the Common Council voted to amend the municipal noise ordinance establishing a temporary ban on the use of gas-powered blowers by residents and business owners. The pilot program was in effect from June 1 to Aug. 31, 2021.

Proposals for a statewide ban came after several municipalities took steps against lead blowers after many complaints about noise as more people were working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to NJ.com.

The proposals for statewide change come after several municipalities took steps against leaf blowers after an increase in complaints about noise as more people started to work from home since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

One of the bills proposed to the NJ State Legislature also states that gas-powered leaf blowers emit "hight rates of pollutants" and that the amount carbon monoxide emitted from a typical blower in one hour is equal to what is emitted from a car's tailpipe over eight hours.

The full ordinance can be viewed on the City of Summit's website.

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