Retire Fossil-Fuel-Powered Landscaping Equipment
GHG-06
Measure
With this measure, the County aims to significantly reduce emissions generated by existing fossil-fuel-powered landscaping equipment by helping the community transition to electric equipment. The County plans to achieve this by partnering with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) to facilitate convenient trade-in of equipment and encourage residents and businesses to take advantage of the available opportunities.
Actions
Action GHG-06-a:
Work with SMAQMD to implement a landscaping equipment trade-in program that provides vouchers for purchasing electric landscape equipment to residents and businesses that trade in fossil-fuel-powered landscaping equipment.
Action GHG-06-b:
Explore the feasibility of and funding opportunities for expanding the landscaping equipment trade-in program which may include:
- organizing trade-in events at convenient locations for residents throughout the county, multiple times per year; and
- establishing additional permanent drop-off locations at other County-operated facilities.
Action GHG-06-c:
Develop a tracking system for the equipment exchanged by applicants through the landscaping equipment trade-in program including number and type of equipment.
Action GHG-06-d:
Share information regarding incentives, including CARB’s zero-emission landscaping equipment incentive programs and SMAQMD’s Commercial Lawn and Garden Program, if available, and co-benefits of using electric landscaping equipment through newsletters, social media post, and the County's website.
Status of Implementation
The Sustainability Manager has initiated discussions with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District and the Department of Waste Management and Recycling to stand up this program. The County would like to support the Air District in expanding its commercial lawn equipment trade-in program to include residential equipment. The Air District and County are communicating with SMUD to explore a potential partnership in such a program so that it could serve the region. The above agencies and departments continue to coordinate through standing meetings facilitated through the County Executive’s Sustainability Manager’s Office. Budget limitations for FY 25-26 and the on-going cuts to federal and State grant programs are limiting funds available for incentives.
Updated 3/28/25
Efforts for the measure have not started.
Objectives
Facilitate trade-in of fossil-fuel-powered landscaping equipment for electric equivalents. Aim to retire approximately 78,000 pieces of equipment by 2030 and 352,000 by 2045.