Woodside council approves Acterra rebate program, debates ban on gas leaf blowers

WOODSIDE, Calif. — The Woodside Town Council on Sept. 10 approved an agreement with local nonprofit Acterra and authorized the town manager to accept Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) grant funding to launch an Electric Gardening Rebate and Incentive Program aimed at helping residents and landscapers switch from gas to electric gardening equipment.

Council members voted unanimously to approve the Acterra agreement and grant authorization after staff detailed program mechanics, budget items and eligibility criteria. Brandy, the staff presenter, said the program includes an Acterra administration fee (listed in the staff packet as $12,000) and would be funded primarily by PCE, which staff said has allocated up to $112,915 for the town’s use. Brandy told the council a $250 rebate should cover the cost of a basic residential electric blower, while professional-grade electric backpack blowers can cost about $1,500 and may be eligible for higher rebate amounts for qualifying landscapers.

The approved resolution directs the town manager to execute a grant agreement with PCE and authorizes the Acterra contract to administer outreach, application processing and disbursement of rebates. Acting Town Manager Kevin told the council the $50,000 item referenced in staff materials would be covered by the PCE grant and that staff would also request an additional $15,000 to help transition the town’s own equipment to electric. In council discussion members asked staff to pursue the maximum available PCE funding and to structure eligibility so more households and businesses can access rebates.

At the same meeting staff introduced, but did not adopt, a proposed ordinance creating new Town code §94.06 to prohibit the use of gas-powered leaf blowers. Brandy described the ordinance as complaint-driven (no unique penalty language), with staff recommending an effective date of July 1, 2025 to give residents and landscapers time to transition. She also cited Assembly Bill 1346 (effective Jan. 1, 2024), which bans the sale of many small off-road gas engines in California, and noted several neighboring jurisdictions have enacted bans.

The ordinance drew sustained debate. Western Hills residents who spoke during public comment said a ban would impair maintenance on large rural parcels and private roads. "This would reduce my ability to reduce fire hazard on our property," Kristen, a Western Hills resident, said, explaining she maintains roughly 20 acres and relies on gas equipment for heavy forestry tasks. David Middleman, another resident, asked whether the rebate is a trade-in program (staff said it is not) and whether larger parcels could receive additional support.

Councilmembers repeatedly praised the rebate program and the discovery of grant funds, while expressing reservations about a blanket ban across Woodside. Several members proposed staff return with options such as: a permit or exception process for large-parcel or emergency uses, an acreage-based exemption (for example, a threshold such as 10 acres), targeted higher rebates for large parcels, or a delayed effective date. Brandy said some towns — including Portola Valley — include emergency-use exceptions and that staff could explore permit or acreage-based rules.

The council approved the Acterra agreement by roll call (5-0). No final vote was taken on the leaf blower ordinance; instead the council directed staff to return with refined ordinance language addressing exemptions and implementation details, plus an outreach and education plan around the rebate program that would include English and Spanish materials.

What’s next Staff will return with refined ordinance language and proposed exemption mechanisms, and implement the Acterra-administered rebate program under the terms of the PCE grant. The council asked staff to explore permitting or acreage-based exceptions and to work with Acterra on eligibility verification and outreach.