Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Minnesota Democrat lawmakers push ban on gas-powered lawn mowers, chainsaws to curb 'climate pollution'
FOX Business ^ | February 18, 2023 | By Emily Robertson

Posted on 02/18/2023 6:27:53 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer

Two Minnesota Democratic lawmakers are proposing a pair of bills that would significantly impact the state's backyards and neighborhood ice rinks in an effort to combat climate change.

State Reps. Jerry Newton and Heather Edelson, members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, introduced legislation on Monday that would block the sale of common landscaping appliances like lawn mowers and chainsaws as well ice resurfacing machines such as Zambonis, requiring that only electric battery versions be sold in the state starting Jan. 1, 2025.

The ban on lawn and garden equipment would include any machine that uses "a spark ignition engine rated at or below 19 kilowatts or 25 gross horsepower." Commonly used landscaping tools like lawn mowers, leaf blowers, hedge clippers, chainsaws, lawn edgers, string trimmers and brush cutters would all be prohibited by that definition.

The measure follows a Democrat-backed clean energy bill signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz that requires electricity production be 80% carbon-free by 2030 and 100% by 2040. Republicans labeled it the "blackout bill."

"DFLers are committed to taking action on climate – unchecked climate pollution threatens Minnesota’s future," House Speaker Melissa Hortman said after lawmakers passed the bill, according to Alpha News. "Now is the time to take bold action and ensure Minnesotans have the healthy climate and clean energy future they deserve."

(Excerpt) Read more at foxbusiness.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Minnesota
KEYWORDS: carbonpropaganda; climatehoax; dfl; ecofascism; emowers; fakescience; globalwarming; heatheredelson; hoax; jerrynewton; lawnmowers; minnesota; propaganda; socialism
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-110 next last
To: William of Barsoom

If you check around and observe, professional construction mechanics have dropped all corded tools and the generators in favor of the battery powered ones.


61 posted on 02/18/2023 7:09:10 AM PST by bert ( (KWE. NP. N.C. +12) Juneteenth is inequality day )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: bert

I have an electric lawn mower and TWO electric chain saws, all of which plug into an electric outlet, and use about a 100’ 14 gauge cord for power supply.

The technology for batteries is just not good enough yet for me to put much trust in them for most high-amperage use. Amperes equal heat, and heat is the enemy of batteries.


62 posted on 02/18/2023 7:09:25 AM PST by alloysteel (Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what's right. - Isaac Asimov)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: jurroppi1

Nothing like a 2stroke dirtbike. I miss my 2014 carbed KTM 300. Nowadays they’re all FI. An electric dirt bike would be tempting though I have to admit. I’d be worn out by the time the battery was probably.


63 posted on 02/18/2023 7:11:32 AM PST by Rural_Michigan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: cp124

Well I’ll put it this way. Conservatives resist change. The thought of battery powered tools that have no cords represents change and is therefore bad

The market is the true indicator. All tool makers from the worst at Harbor Freight to the best at DeWalt and Stihl have transitioned to battery power. Like the failing American automakers some jury rig an existing tool and others redesign from scratch

Nuclear power like I have doesn’t pollute


64 posted on 02/18/2023 7:13:52 AM PST by bert ( (KWE. NP. N.C. +12) Juneteenth is inequality day )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: bert

Cordless impact wrenches are pretty popular with auto mechanics, too.


65 posted on 02/18/2023 7:15:17 AM PST by brianl703
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: alloysteel

You are just wrong and can’t tell what is bad rom that that is good

EGO makes proven good stuff lacking the problems you claim


66 posted on 02/18/2023 7:15:19 AM PST by bert ( (KWE. NP. N.C. +12) Juneteenth is inequality day )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: alloysteel

I have a corded electric mower I bought over 20 years ago. It still works fine. I bought it for my old house which had a small yard. The new house has a much bigger yard and I have a riding mower, but the electric mower is used where the riding mower won’t fit.


67 posted on 02/18/2023 7:17:08 AM PST by brianl703
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer

I have an old fashioned reel mower which I have used to mow my yard. One summer it was all I used. It’s a workout and I can only mow sections of the yard over a period of several days. .

In case of a severe gas shortage, my yard will get mowed.


68 posted on 02/18/2023 7:18:33 AM PST by Armscor38
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
The ban on lawn and garden equipment would include any machine that uses "a spark ignition engine rated at or below 19 kilowatts or 25 gross horsepower." 

No spark? Can I get a Diesel weedwacker then? That will save the earth.

More seiously, I bought an electric snowblower and I love it compared to my awful 2-stroke gas one I had before which was very hard to start and clogged on snow often. I wish I had splurged for a battery snow blower because the 100 foot cord is a pain.

But I picked it because I chose to. Two-stroke engines are horrible for occasional use, and with the snow blower there are some years I don't have to touch it.

69 posted on 02/18/2023 7:20:47 AM PST by KarlInOhio (Gain of Pfunction. Gain of Pfunding. Gain of Pfizer )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mythenjoseph

Testosterone deprived.


70 posted on 02/18/2023 7:22:41 AM PST by bigfootbob (Arm Up and Live Free!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: mfish13
"And electricity powered by???"

Technology based on unicorn farts and moonbeams will save the Erf.

71 posted on 02/18/2023 7:23:11 AM PST by wildcard_redneck (The Ukraine is dead, the head just doesn't know it yet.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: bert
Okay…. Here’s the reality…

Last summer, I bought an electric string trimmer and leaf blower to replace evil gas powered gear that I worked hard over a number of years. I worked the hell out of them. Trivial maintenance required.

Back to the electric…. So now I have shiny new electrics that do half the work, weigh twice as much and cost near 100% more than the gas gear it replaced. I can’t get a full job out of them because the battery runs out and it takes 3 hours to recharge.

I’m not going down the rabbit hole of buying more batteries. It’s a better investment to save up my pennies for pro grade gas gear. Then, I’ll give the electrics to someone I don’t like.

72 posted on 02/18/2023 7:23:16 AM PST by Hootowl99
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: butlerweave
They aren't nearly as stupid as the morons who voted them into power. The average person needs to wake from their slumber and fight against these pissant tyrants.
73 posted on 02/18/2023 7:24:58 AM PST by Rdct29 (Democrats are the new Nazi's. They think they deserve total control over the people)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: bert

Batteries are still not able to contain the really concentrated energy to provide reliable and consistent power output, and also to be recharged quickly. Too much amperage and too much heat in both the charging and discharge parts of the cycle.

Electric is fine. But reliance on batteries very quickly runs into the heat problem with high-amperage charge or discharge. Now a small fuel cell cartridge, that can be recharged with hydrogen when spent, would be w worthwhile alternative to batteries.

Batteries are a dead end, useful only in niche applications.


74 posted on 02/18/2023 7:26:28 AM PST by alloysteel (Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what's right. - Isaac Asimov)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: bert
"Well I’ll put it this way. Conservatives resist change."

Yep, just look at all those conservatives insisting on their landline phones, rejecting that new fangled cellular. People will flock to change when it benefits them. I have both gas and electric lawn tools, I bought the electric stuff because I was tired of replacing fuel lines that the ethanol gas was destroying (California blend if that matters). None of my electric tools work as well as my gas stuff. My son bought Dewalt 40v lawn tools which work great and I shopped for some, then I saw the price tag. Eventually, but I'm not spending that much money to replace what works perfectly fine.

75 posted on 02/18/2023 7:26:47 AM PST by Yogafist (Voting rino is voting for the managed decline of America.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer

What’s to keep people from going to another state and purchasing. Will they come an confiscate and arrest them after 2025? Will they grandfather existing gas powered items?


76 posted on 02/18/2023 7:29:13 AM PST by lula (Shine the light of truth Lord, confound the deceiver I pray...AMEN!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
Already implemented in California.

Home Depo only stocks electric lawnmowers, chain saws, and leaf blowers

But they still sell fuel with oil additive for 2 stroke engines..

Which is good for my gas powered chain saw.

77 posted on 02/18/2023 7:32:33 AM PST by spokeshave (Proud Boys, Angry Dads and Grumpy Grandads.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bert

THAT MAY work for you——

But tell that to a LOGGER.


78 posted on 02/18/2023 7:37:51 AM PST by ridesthemiles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: bert
"Two cycle gasoline engines are pure evil"

Are you on the right forum Bert?

✅ Loves insane environmental laws
✅ Trump derangement syndrome
✅ loves anyone that backs a war including Pedo Biden

You belong on DU because that is where leftist clowns go to screetch and rage.
79 posted on 02/18/2023 7:37:59 AM PST by wildcard_redneck (The Ukraine is dead, the head just doesn't know it yet.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer

Another hit EV owners better be ready to take. They are going to have a lot more competition. And if you haven’t done it already, get out there and buy a couple really extra long extension cords before they’re all gone.


80 posted on 02/18/2023 7:39:05 AM PST by FlingWingFlyer (Remember what FJB Brandon said, "...more than half of the women in my administration are women.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-110 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson