San Jose eyes rebates to get people to switch from gas-powered to electric leaf blowers

ADVOCATES AND POLITICIANS have worked for years to ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in San Jose. A new incentive could be the answer.

Although the state has banned the purchase of new gas leaf blowers as of this year, the city is pushing to get existing gas-operated leaf blowers out of circulation. The program funded by San Jose Clean Energy would rebate commercial landscaping companies $500 for every electric leaf blower purchased to encourage users to switch out the equipment. In April, Mayor Matt Mahan and City Councilmembers David Cohen and Dev Davis proposed the $500 rebate plan.