Retailers, manufacturers, and advocates gathered outside the state Capitol on Wednesday afternoon to highlight the benefits of a bill that, if passed, would provide incentives for institutions that purchase electric lawn equipment.

The legislation (S.1574/A.2657), introduced by state Sen. Liz Krueger and State Assemblymember Steven Otis, would create a rebate program for the purchase of electric lawn care equipment by landscaping companies and government institutions like schools. 

“Electric Lawn Equipment Demo Day” featured demonstrations of battery-powered chainsaws, electric lawn mowers and electric weed whackers.

“Gas-powered landscaping equipment emits a stunning amount of greenhouse gases and co-pollutants, not to mention the noise that blights communities across the state,” Krueger said in a press release. “This bill will make it easier for New York's landscaping companies to transition to cleaner, quieter equipment.”

Blair Horner, senior policy advisor for the New York Public Interest Research Group, and an advocate for the bill, discussed its benefits on Capital Tonight.