BACKGROUND:

The Mowing Down Pollution program has been a noteworthy regional success story.  At the conclusion of this year’s event, we will have distributed more than 3,140 zero-emission mowers since the launch of the program in 2000.  The gain for our communities is a reduction of over 15 tons per year of volatile organic compounds (ozone precursors) emissions.  This is equivalent to hourly emissions from approximately 125,600 late model automobiles.  Clearly, the Mowing Down Pollution program is making a difference inSan Diego’s improved air quality and the quality of life of our citizens.

The Board is securing the mowers, which typically retail for $449 each, for $390 per unit.  After the revenue from the $150 exchange, the Air Pollution Control District will offset the remaining $240 for each mower.  The 2006 program costs are projected at $105,000 with funding derived from penalties collected in Fiscal Year 2005-2006 by the Air Pollution Control District for violations of air quality laws.  Up to $96,000 will be utilized for incentives for up to 400 new mowers and the remaining $9,000 will pay for event costs such as facilities, printed materials, advertising, and disposal of old lawn mowers and hazardous waste.

Residents will be required to drain and properly dispose of the fuel and oil from their existing lawnmowers prior to the exchange.  Gas operating mowers will also be required to be completely equipped and operable, including but not limited to a properly attached handle, all four wheels, motor, blade, housing, and starting mechanism (rope or switch).  To ensure proper disposal of mowers and hazardous materials, a hazardous material hauler, and a recycling company will be hired to oversee the destruction and recycling of the large stockpile of exchanged mowers.

A cordless, electric, rechargeable lawn mower has been selected to avoid tripping and electrical hazards that can result from the use of extension cords.  Also, the selected model has a mulching feature that will mitigate the volume of clippings into our landfills.  Black and Decker continues to be the only maker of 19” electric, cordless, rechargeable lawn mowers, and continuing this program depends upon their participation through reducing the cost of mowers by offering a manufacturer’s rebate. 

Based on customer feedback from prior events, Black and Decker provides customer satisfaction and a quality product.  On March 13, 2002 (APCB #1), the Board authorized a continuing waiver of Board Policy A-87 for future-years’ programs so long as Black and Decker remains the only manufacturer of 19-inch rechargeable, cordless, electric lawn mowers.  This waiver would no longer be valid if and when another manufacturer(s) enters this specific market or equivalent mowers with equal emissions become commercially available.  No such alternative mowers are currently available. 

Respectfully submitted,

RON ROBERTS

Vice-Chairman

Supervisor, Fourth District