News from: South Coast AQMD
PROGRAM GOALS – Improve air quality by exchanging older, polluting gasoline- or diesel-powered commercial lawn and garden equipment for new zero emission, battery electric commercial grade equipment for operation within South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) four county region. Special focus will be given to environmental justice (EJ) or disadvantaged communities.
ELIGIBILITY – Commercial gardeners and landscapers, local government agencies, school districts and colleges, and non-profit organizations are eligible to participate. One equivalent operable gasoline- or dieselpowered piece of lawn and garden equipment must be scrapped to qualify for incentive funding towards battery electric replacement equipment.
MANUFACTURERS – There are six participating manufacturers offering multiple dealer locations throughout SCAQMD’s four-county region. Simply visit one of these participating locations and bring the operable gasoline or diesel equipment to be exchanged.
PROCESS – The participating dealers will test the old lawn and garden equipment for operability, responsibly drain all fluids, before sending to licensed dismantler who will permanently destroy the old equipment.
NEW EQUIPMENT – There will be an opportunity to select from a wide variety of available makes and models of commercial-grade electric lawn and garden equipment, including handheld trimmers, chainsaws, pruners, backpack and handheld blowers and ride-on, stand-on, walk-behind and robotic lawn mowers.
INCENTIVE FUNDING – This exchange program reduces the purchase price of the commercial battery electric lawn and garden equipment. While SCAQMD will prioritize funding in EJ or disadvantaged communities, the program is available to all eligible participants who work or reside in the broader geographic area within SCAQMD’s jurisdiction. Pursuant to state law, sales tax will be charged on the full retail value of each new piece of equipment.
For more information, visit the program website: www.aqmd.gov/lawngarden. To speak with a staff person, call 888-425-6247 (Tuesday-Friday) 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or send a question to [email protected]. This exchange program is funded through SCAQMD’s Air Quality Investment Program and U.S. EPA Targeted Air Shed Grant.