San Jose pivots from leaf blower debate to $100K heat-pump incentives in climate push

SAN JOSE RESIDENTS have been clamoring for a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers for years, complaining about their noise and pollution. In response, the City Council began reviewing a proposal to encourage the use of electric leaf blowers through a subsidy program.

The city is moving forward with a green subsidy more than a year and a half later — but it won’t be for electric leaf blowers.