Specials and Events
GOING GREEN
MGC, in conjunction with Stihl Inc., would like to invite you to see the latest battery products from Stihl at the Clinton Green Fair on Saturday, September 12th at Bundt Park.
Are you ready for the coming Green Wave?
The landscape horizon is literally changing by the moment in New Jersey. Driven by concerns over localized air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and extreme decibel levels, New Jersey is rapidly transitioning from gas-powered to battery-powered outdoor power equipment through a series of statewide legislative proposals, growing municipal bans, and local pilot programs.
Local coverage from NJ.com and New Jersey Monthly documents a cascade of local ordinances. Towns such as Maplewood, Montclair, Princeton, Millburn, and Glen Ridge have instituted seasonal restrictions or complete prohibitions on gas-powered blowers.
Most recently, municipalities have proposed frameworks targeting a total ban by 2027, gradually scaling back the months that gas equipment is permitted to operate.
*(Below is an additional short list of published material referencing the accelerating trend away from gas-powered outdoor equipment and toward their expanding battery powered alternatives.)
Mendham Garden Center is a certified Stihl dealership serving Hunterdon, Somerset, Warren, and Morris Counties. Stihl is an industry leading manufacturer of battery-operated outdoor equipment. We are pleased to offer an opportunity to become familiar with Stihl’s full line of battery equipment, including blowers, trimmers, saws, snowblowers, and mowers.
If you cannot make the Green Fair, and you are still interested, Stihl pro-team members will arrange demonstrations of the latest battery equipment, answer questions, and help you prepare for the coming Green Wave.
Don’t miss this chance to get ahead of the battery trend, and maybe even take advantage of Stihl sales promotions, fleet, or bid-assist programs.
Email R.Bertolli@MendhamGardenCenter.com or call (908) 730-9008 today to set up a free demo.
The Montclair Legal Precedent
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by a coalition of landscapers against Montclair, NJ’s municipal ban on gas leaf blowers. Legal experts consider this decision the first in the nation to successfully defend a gas leaf blower ban against a federal preemption claim, which sets a strong precedent for other municipalities nationwide.
Statewide Legislation and Policy Reports
- Statewide Leaf Blower Phase-Out (Bill S623): Reports from BillTrack50 track Senate Bill S623 (which resurfaced from previous sessions as S217). The bill proposes a two-year ban on the sale of highly-polluting two-stroke gas blowers, followed by a four-year ban on the use of both two-stroke and four-stroke gas blowers in residential areas. To ease the transition, the legislation includes provisions for business tax credits when purchasing electric or battery alternatives.
- Broader Lawn Equipment Bans (Bill A3906/A1851): Industry updates from NJ 101.5 note that broader efforts to ban all gas-powered lawn equipment—including lawn mowers and chainsaws—historically stalled in committee under older sessions (such as bill A3906) but continue to be pre-filed and reintroduced by lawmakers aiming for a total transition to zero-emission gear.
- Green Industry Funding Requests: A report by the Ecological Landscape Alliance highlights that while some landscaping companies are voluntarily phasing out gas, the industry is requesting significant state funding. Representatives argue that much like the solar and electric vehicle markets, landscapers deserve substantial resource allocation, point-of-sale price reductions, and safety retraining programs to withstand the forced transition.
Local Case Studies and Testing Pilots
- Westfield’s Community Solar-Funded Pilot: According to reports by Patch Westfield, the town launched a formal summer pilot program to test commercial-grade battery leaf blowers across municipal and school properties. Notably, the $52,900 equipment contract was entirely funded through revenues from the town’s community solar initiative, bypassing the use of taxpayer dollars. The pilot is designed to gather real-world data on battery life and operational efficiency to see if electric gear can realistically replace gas fleets.
- Duke Farms Sustainability Demonstration: Environmental groups highlight long-term operational success stories, such as Duke Farms in Hillsborough, NJ. According to their project updates, they began transitioning their commercial mowers and handheld tools from gas to battery power in 2019. Their multi-year data demonstrates that current battery platforms successfully keep up with daily, heavy-duty land management while utilizing clean energy generated directly onsite.
- Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) addresses the transition to battery and electric equipment through its campus sustainability initiatives and its workforce development programs. As a recognized leader in environmental stewardship, the college actively integrates clean energy technology across both its campus facilities and its academic curricula.