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.
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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 fo...
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