The old saying "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water" seems appropriate for the latest climate edict out of Sacramento courtesy of Assemblyman Marc Berman from the "leafy suburb" of Menlo Park. Newsom signed AB1346 that outlaws the sale (but not the use) of "off-road" gasoline engines by 2024; or later if the California air police deem it necessary. The Wall Street Journal offers some helpful points to understanding this latest maneuver
As an Assembly bill analysis notes, “for commercial uses, there is very little market for zero-emission equipment as today’s technology is relatively expensive and requires multiple batteries and/or frequent recharging and replacement” and “may be inadequate even if money is no object, particularly when used in rural areas without convenient access to recharging.” No market? No matter. Sacramento will dictate a new one by banning the old one.
Banning sales of new small-combustion engines in tools “could have a few unintended consequences,” the analysis added. For instance, it could “lead to prolonged use of older, dirtier engines,” and the “purchase of non-compliant engines out of state for use in California.” Home Depot stores in Tijuana and Reno no doubt will appreciate the sales boost.
Even better is this hidden gem
You won’t read this in other newspapers, but many Democrats who represent working-class communities are starting to worry that the state’s environmental policies are driving up the cost of living for minority communities. Notably, about one in five Democrats in the Assembly and a third in the Senate from mostly lower- and middle-income districts abstained or voted against the bill.
"Abstaining" is the classic legislative ploy to avoid responsibility. No one can say you voted against it. There are plenty of people, including some long time readers of the Voice, who will applaud the move against gas leaf blowers. I'm ok with that too; except for the $30 million of taxpayer money that is allocated to subsidizing the shift. The "baby in the bathwater" is the fact that the bill includes gas-powered generators! Talk about an absolutely idiotic ban. Generators are flying off the shelves due to unreliable electricity. Generac, the largest vendor in the U.S., has an enormous backlog — its company stock is up more than 400% since January 2020.
I don't own a generator. I've been meaning to buy one for years, but my move to solar that went quite well now has me planning a battery back-up as Phase 2 of the project. I'm fortunate that I can afford the project with a little planning. For most people, an $800-1,300 generator with no installation costs is a reasonable choice–or was.
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