Clean lawn & snow equipment statewide discounts begin Jan. 1
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Starting January 1, Colorado businesses selling residential-level electric-powered lawn and snow equipment will receive state tax credits, leading to a 30% decrease in the manufacturer’s price for customers. This is part of Senate Bill 23-016 “Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Measures”. The move is intended to reduce pollution from gasoline-powered equipment like lawn mowers, leaf blowers, trimmers, and snow blowers which emit high levels of air pollutants including nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.
Electric-Powered Lawn and Snow Equipment to Benefit from State Tax Credits
Residents eager to use more efficient tools for fall and winter outdoor chores will soon benefit from state tax credits. These credits, starting on January 1, are for businesses selling residential electric-powered lawn and snow equipment. The new legislation is part of the Senate Bill 23-016, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Any buyer will receive a 30% reduction on the manufacturer price, and the businesses will earn their part through state tax credits. Gasoline-powered equipment like lawn mowers and snowblowers release high levels of pollutants, including nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.
According to an October report, Grand County had significant carbon monoxide emissions from lawn equipment in 2020. In Routt County, lawn equipment emitted as much pollution in 2020 as 27,000 cars, noted Kirsten Schatz, clean air advocate at CoPIRG Foundation.
Benefits of Electric Lawn and Garden Equipment
Clean air advocates state that electric lawn and garden alternatives are cleaner, quieter, capable, and affordable. Retailers such as Lowe’s and Steamboat Ace Hardware will offer reduced prices starting in January. Schatz emphasised that the state tax credits for outdoor equipment is crucial for reducing overall air pollution due to the use of inefficient engines in such equipment.
Lawn and garden equipment throughout Colorado emitted an estimated 671 tons of fine particulate air pollution in 2020, equivalent to the pollution produced by over seven million cars. As CoPIRG suggests, recent improvements in equipment technology, coupled with the state tax credit, make it an ideal time to switch to cleaner, quieter electric lawn equipment.
Shift in Consumer Preferences
Lianna Luallin at Steamboat Ace Hardware reported brisk sales of rechargeable, battery-powered EGO leaf blowers, chainsaws, and snowblowers over the past year. Similarly, Billy Thompson, assistant store manager at M.J.K. Sales and Feed Ace Hardware in Craig, mentioned increased sales of non-polluting lawn equipment in recent years.
Exposure to pollutants emitted by gas-powered lawn equipment can lead to health problems, including asthma attacks and cancer, according to CoPIRG. The top five Colorado counties with the highest pollution in 2020 included Arapahoe, Jefferson, El Paso, Adams, and Douglas.
Yampa Valley Electric Association member-customers benefited from $150 rebates on electric-powered lawn equipment and snowblowers as part of the Energy Hero rebate program. Meanwhile, federal tax credits have been available to businesses purchasing electric-powered commercial-grade mowers since January.
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