Please do not follow the lead of California and ban the use of gas-powered equipment. There may be a day when electric tools can match the power, efficiency and longevity of gas equipment but that day has not yet come, especially in Minnesota. Electric lawn movers, leaf blowers and hedge clippers may work on small yards in Minneapolis or St. Paul, but the current technology is completely inadequate for larger yards in the suburbs, exurbs and Greater Minnesota. I can’t imagine how any outdoor business or farm could get along without gas-powered equipment. The thought of cleaning up after a damaging tornado with electric chainsaws should give anyone supporting this bill pause. The bill authors wisely left snow blowers off the list of banned power equipment, but it’s clear by their intent they will be added in future legislation. I fear outboard motors, ATVs, jet skis, snowmobiles and generators will be added as well. I also oppose separate legislation banning gas-powered Zambonis in Minnesota’s hockey arenas. Our rinks are still recovering from the cost of updating cooling systems due to previous government mandates. The State of Hockey cannot afford another misguided government policy. Technological advancements always find their way to the consumer in a healthy marketplace. Please oppose these bills that artificially interfere with the market to the detriment of Minnesotans.

I am writing to you today to ask that you please do not follow the lead of California and ban the use of gas-powered equipment. There may be a day when electric tools can match the power, efficiency and longevity of gas equipment but that day has not yet come, especially in Minnesota. Electric lawn movers, leaf blowers and hedge clippers may work on small yards in Minneapolis or St. Paul, but the current technology is completely inadequate for larger yards in the suburbs, exurbs and Greater Minnesota. I can’t imagine how any outdoor business or farm could get along without gas-powered equipment. The thought of cleaning up after a damaging tornado with electric chainsaws should give anyone supporting this bill pause. The bill authors wisely left snow blowers off the list of banned power equipment, but it’s clear by their intent they will be added in future legislation. I fear outboard motors, ATVs, jet skis, snowmobiles and generators will be added as well. I also oppose separate legislation banning gas-powered Zambonis in Minnesota’s hockey arenas. Our rinks are still recovering from the cost of updating cooling systems due to previous government mandates. The State of Hockey cannot afford another misguided government policy. Technological advancements always find their way to the consumer in a healthy marketplace. Please oppose these bills that artificially interfere with the market to the detriment of Minnesotans.

Please do not follow the lead of California and ban the use of gas-powered equipment. There may be a day when electric tools can match the power, efficiency and longevity of gas equipment but that day has not yet come, especially in Minnesota. Electric lawn movers, leaf blowers and hedge clippers may work on small yards in Minneapolis or St. Paul, but the current technology is completely inadequate for larger yards in the suburbs, exurbs and Greater Minnesota. I can’t imagine how any outdoor business or farm could get along without gas-powered equipment. The thought of cleaning up after a damaging tornado with electric chainsaws should give anyone supporting this bill pause. The bill authors wisely left snow blowers off the list of banned power equipment, but it’s clear by their intent they will be added in future legislation. I fear outboard motors, ATVs, jet skis, snowmobiles and generators will be added as well. I also oppose separate legislation banning gas-powered Zambonis in Minnesota’s hockey arenas. Our rinks are still recovering from the cost of updating cooling systems due to previous government mandates. The State of Hockey cannot afford another misguided government policy. Technological advancements always find their way to the consumer in a healthy marketplace. Please oppose these bills that artificially interfere with the market to the detriment of Minnesotans.

Please do not follow the lead of California and ban the use of gas-powered equipment. There may be a day when electric tools can match the power, efficiency and longevity of gas equipment but that day has not yet come, especially in Minnesota. Electric lawn movers, leaf blowers and hedge clippers may work on small yards in Minneapolis or St. Paul, but the current technology is completely inadequate for larger yards in the suburbs, exurbs and Greater Minnesota. I can’t imagine how any outdoor business or farm could get along without gas-powered equipment. The thought of cleaning up after a damaging tornado with electric chainsaws should give anyone supporting this bill pause. The bill authors wisely left snow blowers off the list of banned power equipment, but it’s clear by their intent they will be added in future legislation. I fear outboard motors, ATVs, jet skis, snowmobiles and generators will be added as well. I also oppose separate legislation banning gas-powered Zambonis in Minnesota’s hockey arenas. Our rinks are still recovering from the cost of updating cooling systems due to previous government mandates. The State of Hockey cannot afford another misguided government policy. Technological advancements always find their way to the consumer in a healthy marketplace. Please oppose these bills that artificially interfere with the market to the detriment of Minnesotans.