As soon as it hit 9 AM on Saturday, the buzzing sound from next door began. I took a sip of my coffee and looked at the clock; it was exactly 9 o'clock. The landscaping companies in this neighborhood are remarkably punctual.

Curious, I looked it up and found out there was a reason. San Diego city ordinance prohibits the use of leaf blowers in residential areas from 5 PM to 9 AM on weekends and holidays.

On weekdays, the ban is from 7 PM to 8 AM. So, that sound at exactly 9 o'clock was a faithful adherence to the law.

There are also noise level standards. Since July 1993, it has been illegal to exceed 65 decibels from a distance of 50 feet, and mufflers and noise reduction devices must be installed.

However, there is a heated debate these days about completely eliminating gas-powered leaf blowers. This means that the familiar sound of leaf removal could disappear.

In fact, California is already a step ahead. AB 1346 was signed into law in 2021, and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved related regulations in December of that year.

The crux of the matter is that after January 1, 2024, small off-road engines, such as blowers and lawn mowers, must be manufactured to be zero-emission. Generators and large pressure washers have been pushed back to 2028.

There is a common misunderstanding here. This is not a ban on use but a new manufacturing standard.

According to CARB, you can continue to use and repair the gas equipment you currently own. Existing certified products in stores or second-hand sales are not restricted either.

So why go to such lengths? After looking at CARB's data, I put my coffee cup down for a moment.

Running a commercial leaf blower for one hour produces as much smog-forming pollution as driving a new passenger car from LA to Denver, which is 1,100 miles. One blower is equivalent to a road trip on its own.

Commercial lawn mowers are at a level of 300 miles per hour, so the blowers are overwhelmingly worse. CARB explains that small engine emissions have already surpassed those of passenger cars statewide.

The reason is mostly due to the two-stroke engine design. They burn a mixture of fuel and oil, and some of that doesn't burn properly and just goes into the air.

As a result, even within San Diego County, neighborhoods are already divided. Encinitas passed an ordinance in August 2019, banning all gas blower use starting January 20, 2020.

Coronado banned gas blowers starting January 2021, with the first violation resulting in a written warning and subsequent violations incurring a $100 fine. Solana Beach has banned two-stroke gas blowers.

On the other hand, the city of San Diego is still sticking to time and noise restrictions. Citizen groups like SD-SEQUEL are continuously advocating for a fair ban across the entire county.

One word stands out here: equitable.

This debate is not simply about quiet neighborhoods versus noisy ones. The people who carry blowers all day are mostly the owners or employees of small landscaping companies.

Commercial battery equipment requires multiple batteries and chargers, which can be quite costly upfront. For those who service multiple homes in a day, there are also issues with work time.

Therefore, the state government has also provided support. The state legislature allocated $30 million through CARB's CORE voucher program for sole proprietors and small landscaping businesses.

Encinitas also operated a rebate program for purchasing electric and battery blowers alongside the ban. It's commendable that they didn't just impose regulations and walk away.

To be honest, I think the direction is correct. After seeing the numbers, it feels a bit embarrassing to support gas blowers.

However, we must not forget that the workers who are closest to that pollution are the ones carrying the blowers. They are both the biggest beneficiaries of the regulations and the first to bear the costs.

So, the real issue is who will share the transition costs and how, rather than the timing of the ban. I believe whether the vouchers actually reach small businesses will determine the success or failure of this initiative.

We switched to a battery blower at our house last year. At first, I thought it was like a hair dryer, but it was sufficient for the yard.

Most importantly, the neighbor's dog no longer barks at me like I'm an enemy. That alone made the investment worthwhile.

If you are considering hiring a company for home maintenance, ask if they use electric equipment during your next contract. It would also be good to check your city's ordinances on the city hall website in advance.

The buzzing sound at 9 AM on Saturday will eventually change to a whirring sound. When that day comes, I might feel a bit sad, but I will cast my vote for the quieter option.