(Virginia has such beautiful fall colors)
- On Jul 31, 2022, Matt de Ferranti wrote:
Thank you for following up on this, Elise. Graham, Katie and I will be following up on it.
My very best,
Matt
On August 16, 2022, Elise Bean wrote:
Hi, Matt! Thought I’d check in to see if the Board has been able to determine the status of the leaf blower transition effort. Thanks! Elise
On Aug 16, 2022, Matt de Ferranti wrote:
Hi Elisa,
Graham and I have engaged with our staff to find accurate answers to your question. We are and will need to keep pushing on the issue as a whole.
Let Graham and I touch base over the coming days and be back in touch.
Thanks,
Matt
On August 16, 2022, Elise Bean wrote:
To: Matt de Ferranti mdeferranti@arlingtonva.us
Cc: Graham Weinschenk gweinschenk@arlingtonva.us
Thanks, Matt and Graham, for your attention to this issue. Quiet Clean NOVA is meeting tomorrow so I’ll let them know that you are pushing for specific information to see what progress has been made so far.
Best, Elise
On Aug 16, 2022, Matt de Ferranti wrote:
That works. Thanks Elise!
We still do not have the legal authority to ban leaf blowers. I think it is important for the coalition to know that, though I think you/they do.
Matt
On August 16, 2022, Elise Bean wrote:
To: Matt de Ferranti <mdeferranti@arlingtonva.us>
Cc: Graham Weinschenk <gweinschenk@arlingtonva.us>
Yes, everyone at QC Nova knows that. That is exactly why the County’s leadership decision to transition on a voluntary basis to battery-powered leaf blowers is so important to us. It is a model for other NOVA counties which are also making or considering making the same transition. And it helps to create a market for battery-operated leaf blowers and helps convince private sector landscapers that they ought to buy them as well.
We are currently in the process of approaching private sector landowners to make the same voluntary switch, so you can see why we want to be able to say that Arlington County — with its parks, school grounds, and other properties — is already in transition. We also want to be careful with the facts which is why we want to get a status report on what exactly is happening on the ground for the County.
Thanks again for your assistance! Best, Elise
On Aug 18, 2022, Matt de Ferranti wrote:
Dear Elise,
Thank you again for reaching out to us to follow up on the process of Arlington County’s transition from gas to electric leaf blowers. Below are the updates related to your questions about the status of the transition, whether funds are being expended, and if we are on track to meet the FY 2025 goal.
In implementing the County Board’s direction to transition to electric leaf blowers by FY 2025, the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Parks and Natural Resources (PNR) Division’s inventory of landscape equipment is currently at 56% electric. The Department of Environmental Services (DES)’s inventory is currently at 58%, with both departments on track to meet the 100% electric goal by 2025.
In FY 2022, a total of $124,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding was approved to be allocated to PNR and DES from FY 2022 through FY 2025 to transition gas hand-held equipment to battery electric. In FY 2022, $26,000 was specifically allocated to PNR, and 98% of that funding was used on battery electric equipment, including 12 electric leaf blowers. PNR was allocated an additional $24,000 in the FY 2023 budget to continue this process. DES spent $12,000 of non-ARPA funding on electric equipment, including one leaf blower, and they plan to convert 100% of their landscape equipment to electric this fiscal year.
Additionally, to address your CIP funding question, no additional funds for battery powered landscaping equipment were included in the 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Please don’t hesitate to reach out if we can be of any additional assistance!
Sincerely,
Matt de Ferranti
Member, Arlington County Board
On August 18, 2022, Elise Bean wrote:
Thanks for this update, Matt, much appreciated! It is good to mark the progress already being made, and learn that Arlington County is on track to meet its 100% electric leaf blower goal by 2025.
I will forward your message to QC NOVA members.
Best, Elise