December 26, 2024
Do you have a landscaping business? If you’re looking to switch from gas to electric leaf blowers, we may be able to help.
The City of Portland recently adopted an ordinance that bans the use of gas-powered leaf blowers by 2028.
To help with this change, Multnomah County has a pilot program to reimburse landscaping businesses for the cost of all-electric equipment.
Funds are limited. We will prioritize smaller businesses with fewer employees and offer them higher incentives.
The funds for this program are provided through an Oregon Department of Environmental Quality enforcement action settlement.
Application Deadline
January 26, 2025
Funding Amount
We will reimburse qualifying businesses up to $24,950. You must use these funds to buy all-electric equipment, including:
- Leaf blowers
- Batteries
- Charging equipment
Who Can Apply?
Anyone with a landscaping business based in Oregon that uses gas leaf blowers in Multnomah County.
You must also be willing to recycle each gas leaf blower replaced with this incentive funding.
Once you buy the equipment with these funds, you must:
- Use it mainly in Multnomah County
- Not resell it for 6 months from the date of purchase
Information Session
January 14, 12-12:30pm
Join online: https://meet.google.com/mkv-zbfz-yrs
By phone: 929-324-1816 | PIN: 585 572 936#
How to Apply
Step 1: Complete an Application by January 26, 2025
The application will ask for:
- Your contact information
- The number of gas leaf blowers you plan to replace
- The type of new electric equipment you would like to buy
- A cost estimate for the replacement equipment
- An acknowledgement of the incentive program requirements
We will review your application and let you know whether you qualify. If you do qualify, and funds are available, we will send you a Participation Agreement.
Step 2: Complete the Participation Agreement
This agreement includes:
- Program requirements
- The total amount you can get reimbursed for
- A request for you to complete a W-9 form
Before you buy anything, you must sign and return this document.
Step 3: Buy Your Equipment
You may then buy your all-electric equipment.
Step 4: Get Reimbursed
Send us a reimbursement request with receipts and all other required documents. We must receive your request by March 31, 2025.
You can expect to receive a check from Multnomah County within 2 weeks from your request.
About Portland’s Gas Leaf Blower Ordinance
The switch to all-electric leaf blowers in the City of Portland will happen by 2028.
Switching from gas to electric leaf blowers will reduce air and noise pollution. This action aims to protect the health of leaf blower operators and neighbors.
Timeline:
- 2025 – Raise awareness about the new ordinance and rules
- 2026-2027 – Gas leaf blowers prohibited, except from October-December
- 2028 – Gas leaf blowers prohibited year-round
Portland's Gas Leaf Blower Phase-out