REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: July 11, 2022 Report No. P&R-22-010
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Rick Daykin, Manager, Parks and Facilities
SUBJECT:
Title
Phasing out fuel powered landscape equipment
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RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council approve the strategies to phase out Township fuel powered landscape equipment outlined in Staff Report No. P&R-22-010; and that the phasing out of commercial and residential fuel powered landscape equipment in Esquimalt be reviewed after battery powered technology has improved for run time and power.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Climate Action Plan
Climate Adaptation Strategy
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
Develop and implement strategies that reduce impact on the environment consistent with our Climate Action Charter goals.
BACKGROUND:
At the Regular Meeting of Council held on January 24, 2022, a notice of motion was issued to direct staff to review the possibility of phasing out the use of gasoline powered landscape equipment for the Township, residential and commercial purposes and to identify the steps and costs involved in this initiative.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
Township Landscape Equipment
Parks staff began purchasing and utilizing electric powered landscape equipment in 2018. Currently, parks staff are utilizing electric powered back-pack blowers, handheld blowers, line trimmers, hedge trimmers and chainsaws. All electric powered equipment has zero emissions and therefore do not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. When compared to gas models, electric tools produce less noise, are less expensive to operate and maintain, and are easier to start. Generally speaking, battery powered equipment is more expensive due to the capital cost of batteries and chargers.
Battery power and run time reveal the disadvantages of present electric powered landscape equipment technology. For example, electric back-pack blower run times are shorter and power is not adequate for heavier wet material such as leaves, grass and soil. Electric line trimmers perform well in areas that have sparse vegetation as their power is still not adequate for cutting thick, wet grass.
Small electric chainsaws are ideal for cutting trees and pruning branches less than 16 inches in diameter. The technology still needs to advance for cutting thicker wood and for longer run times.
For light debris clean ups in drier conditions, the electric hand held blowers are preferred by staff. In addition, staff prefer operating electric powered hedge trimmers as they have extended operation time and are easier to handle.
Typical run times for battery operated landscape equipment is about 20 minutes. Therefore, access to charged batteries in the field is important to keep the equipment running efficiently. Parks staff currently have charging stations at the parks works yard, Gorge Park and Saxe Point Park. In the future, we will investigate developing more charging stations within existing maintenance sheds. Staff will charge batteries over night at various park sheds that have power and bring several charged batteries in their trucks for an efficient operation.
Parks staff have already begun to phase out small fuel powered chainsaws, handheld blowers and hedge trimmers. We are currently still using fuel powered backpack blowers and line trimmers for heavier landscape jobs that require longer run times and more power.
Commercial landscape equipment
There are commercial landscapers that provide lawn and garden care services in Esquimalt that typically rely on the use of trucks to transport their equipment and workers to their job sites. For these commercial landscapers to phase out fuel powered equipment, they would need to charge their electric powered equipment from their trucks. This process is very innovative and expensive. In addition, as noted above, technology has not yet fully advanced for the provision of powerful, long running batteries for large jobs. Finally, there may be a need to encourage commercial landscapers to phase out gas powered equipment with grants and/or other incentives.
Residential landscape equipment
Local hardware stores still carry and sell fuel powered landscape equipment but there is momentum towards the sales of electric powered equipment at affordable prices. Generally, residential properties are simpler to maintain with electric powered landscape equipment as they are typically smaller in size. Battery chargers are more accessible inside homes and garages. Again, there may be a need to provide homeowners with grants and/or other incentives to help encourage phasing out of fuel powered equipment.
2. Organizational Implications
There are no organizational implications at this time.
3. Financial Implications
There are no financial implications at this time.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
All electric powered equipment creates zero emissions and therefore do not contribute to global climate warming. They have less noise and are inexpensive to maintain and operate.
5. Communication & Engagement
Parks staff provided feedback on the pros and cons of commonly utilized electric powered landscape equipment as noted in this report. The Engineering and Public Works Department concur with the information provided. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee endorsed the concept of phasing out of fuel powered landscape equipment at their meeting held April 28, 2022.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council approve the strategies to phase out Township fuel powered landscape equipment outlined in Staff Report No. P&R-22-010; and that the phasing out of commercial and residential fuel powered landscape equipment in Esquimalt be reviewed after battery powered technology has improved for run time and power.
2. That Council request additional information from staff.
3. That Council provide alternate direction to staff.