This week, TCIA submitted a letter in opposition to a proposed rule introduced by the California Air Resource Board (CARB) that would ban the production of gas-powered small off-road engines (SORE) found in equipment such as chain saws and leaf blowers produced for Model Year (MY) 2024.
Though the rule would not ban the use of this equipment, the production ban starting with MY 2024 equipment would make these tools more difficult, if not impossible, to acquire within the state. TCIA recognizes and supports the use of zero-emission equipment in the tree care industry, but our comments to CARB reflect our concerns with potential decreased productivity and increased costs that may burden tree care businesses in California as a result of the proposed rulemaking.
TCIA is committed to representing and supporting our members at the national, state, and local levels, where necessary. For those interested in learning more, read TCIA's comments to CARB regarding the gas-powered SORE equipment ban here.