Assembly committee releases bill to expand BPU rebates for zero‑emission lawn equipment

At a committee hearing in Trenton, the New Jersey Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee voted to release Assembly Bill A2319 as amended, a measure directing the Board of Public Utilities to establish a rebate program to encourage purchases of zero‑emission lawn equipment by residents and businesses.

Supporters — including landscapers, trade groups and environmental advocates — told the committee the proposal could speed a statewide shift away from gas‑powered leaf blowers and other small landscape engines that witnesses described as significant contributors to local air pollution and harmful noise levels. "They need to be higher for landscapers," said Amner De Leon, who runs an all‑electric landscaping company, urging larger rebates for commercial users.

Witnesses asked the committee to refine implementation details. Ben Graziano of the New Jersey Green Industry Council urged a multi‑phase, multi‑year program and flagged battery life, availability and recycling as practical hurdles. "There's no battery recycling program in New Jersey," he said, urging incentives for recycling and a comprehensive review of participation and equipment availability. Lori Jensen, executive director of the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association, told members the rebate levels in the bill as drafted are unlikely to cover the higher cost of professional‑grade battery equipment and asked that the program be evaluated after an initial phase.

Advocates framed A2319 as an air‑quality and public‑health measure. "Lawn equipment can be anywhere from 24 to 45% of emissions from non‑roadway sources," said Allison McLeod of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, citing EPA estimates. Doug O'Malley of Environment New Jersey highlighted noise and pollution impacts, saying leaf blowers "can get to be more than 100 decibels" and urging use of Clean Energy Fund dollars to support the program.

The committee amendments broadened the rebate to cover all types of zero‑emission lawn equipment, added new definitions, revised references to gas‑powered equipment, and tied rebate amounts to the sale price of the replacement device (the bill sets the rebate at the lesser of 25% of cost or a fixed dollar amount tiered by purchase price). Committee discussion also touched on trade‑in requirements, public education, workforce training, charging infrastructure for commercial fleets and the need for battery‑recycling programs.

On the motion to release A2319 as amended, the committee recorded five yes votes, one abstention and one no; the bill was released as amended. The committee directed further work on implementation details and signaled interest in companion incentives to address charging and recycling before broader rollout.