Portland's gas-powered leaf blower ban goes into effect

Because it's too dangerous for ordinary citizens to use gas power?

Context: https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/pages/self-serve-fueling.aspx

That's a jobs program, safety was just the thinly veiled excuse.

Reading the law strictly, a leaf blower powered by a gasoline electric generator would be allowed, if the generator rests on the ground.

A gasoline leaf blower (or vacuum) that you ride instead of carry would also be allowed.

That would at least be much more efficient.

My last apartment had the basic unending sound of a leafblower from Spring to late Fall, nearly every morning, unending. Never once did I find myself thinking "wow I sure do hate sight of fall leaves" or "this grass really needs the mm of grass every meter removed", yet they were paid to come multiple times a week year round and blow things around for hours on end. Felt like such a waste in an otherwise neglected apartment complex as far as maintenance.

I get the use of leafblowers for some. I lived in the deep woods and we'd have to clear a pretty large swath of area every fall to not swim through shin-deep leaves for half the year, but if you already are in an area with light enough tree density to grow nice grass I just personally don't understand the utility of some 1000CFM gas leafblower. I got my parents a relatively cheap electric leafblower and it's been excellent for clearing their driveway and paths.

It's definitely a more personal gripe, but those obnoxious droning leafblowers are one of the worst sources of noise pollution in suburban areas by a large gap.