Op/Ed: Senator Dahle voices strong opposition to California’s ban on lawn mowers and generators
Submitted by the Office of Senator Brian Dahle
There was a collective sigh and eye rolls this week when it was announced that the Governor signed a law to ban gas powered mowers, generators and other equipment. Many Californians will say it’s just California being California, but not realizing the real impact it will have on our everyday lives, and how the new law is truly a contradiction of policies.
Assembly Bill 1346 (Berman) requires the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to implement regulations banning the sale of new internal combustion, small off-road engines (SORE) that have more than 25 horse power by January 1, 2024. The measure includes equipment used in lawn care, portable generators, various power tools, and other equipment used for personal and commercial purposes.
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As part of existing law, CARB must to adopt a statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions limit equivalent to 1990 levels by 2020. Additionally, ARB is required to reach goals of statewide GHG emissions reduction to at least 40% below the 2020 statewide limit no later than December 31, 2030.
The overall economic impact of converting landscaping equipment to electric or battery will substantially increase the cost to consumers and taxpayers alike. Once again, pricing people out of California. It’s more than just providing an affordable option. Rechargeable batteries sound like a good idea, until you factor in that California’s less than reliable electrical grid. So, when the power goes out Californians have had to invest in generators to power their refrigerators, HVAC systems, and especially life-saving medical equipment. This will no longer be an option.
In addition to strongly speaking against this legislation in the Senate, Senator Dahle released the following statement regarding the signing of AB 1346:
“Our communities are burning down, blackouts are becoming a way of life, and instead lawmakers want to regulate combustible engines. We are not a third-world economy, but it feels like we’re moving in that direction,” said Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber). “At some point the public has to be made aware of the mismanagement of funds. We need to be accounting for the massive forest fires that are emitting more carbon annually than all sources combined.”
Senator Dahle is not against reducing carbon emissions. In fact, he proposed legislation (SB 495) that would calculate carbon emissions from wildland and forest fires into the State’s scoping plan and determine an appropriate reduction strategy. Tragically, legislators killed this bill in committee, because they would rather just study the issue, instead of talking about real solutions.
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Note: The federal Clean Air Act preempts California control of emissions. More information and a list of preempt equipment is available here: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sore-list-determine-preempt-road-applications.
Senator Brian Dahle represents California’s 1st Senate District, which contains all or portions of 11 counties, including Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra, and Siskiyou.
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Trevor Montgomery, 50, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).
Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.