EPA’s Latest Public Enemy: Old Lawn Mowers
Gas-powered lawn mowers are terrible polluters, but they’ll have to clean up their act in the next few years. So say new regulations announced this week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Under the EPA’s new standards, small spark-ignition engines such as those used in lawn mowers will have to reduce their hydrocarbon emissions by 35 percent starting in 2011. Gas-powered boats and other personal watercraft will also have to cut their pollution levels, with those new restrictions coming into play in 2010.
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EPA officials say the changes will help cut the country’s annual carbon emissions by 600,000 tons and reduce carbon monoxide pollution by 1.5 million tons. The stricter standards are also expected to curb the nation’s gas consumption by about 190 million gallons a year.
Rather than start saving now for a new gas mower or outboard motor, though, here are a few ways to cut your greenhouse gas emissions even more. Better yet, you can start now, rather than wait for 2010 or 2011:
- Buy a hand-powered push mower;
- Replace your lawn with a vegetable garden;
- Start practicing xeriscaping (low-water landscaping);
- Forget the powerboats and Jet Skis and build your own sailboat instead.
