Feature

An Electrified Future?

By Brandon Sheppard, President-Elect, NALP

The electrification of green industry tools has increasingly become a hot topic in the last several years, driven in large part by the spate of legislative and regulatory efforts to mandate a rapid transition or ban the use of gas-powered equipment entirely.

On principle, the lawn and landscape industry has nothing to fear from a responsible transition to zero emissions equipment. If anything, reducing emissions generated through our work further strengthens the powerful environmental ethos that drives our industry. Our industry is responsible for creating and maintaining so many of America’s green spaces. Not only has our work beautified communities from coast to coast, these living, breathing landscapes produce oxygen, sequester carbon, deliver energy savings, help manage stormwater run-off, and contribute significantly to public health (mentally and physically). We are one of the only segments of the economy where the work we perform daily is a legitimate asset to combatting climate change. The risk for our industry lies in the passage of ill-conceived government regulation that would force a transition faster than technology and the energy grid can support.

As the President-Elect of NALP, I would like to share how NALP has been working on your behalf; campaigning for responsible transitions for professionals to adopt zero emission equipment. We recognize that the energy transition is inevitable, but it must be responsibly structured and cannot happen overnight. Significant hurdles surrounding capability, infrastructure, and expense must be addressed.

For example, in Maryland, we engaged directly with Del. Linda Foley (D-15) and secured a victory by getting commercial landscapers removed from requirements that would have required an expedited shift to zero-emission leaf blowers. We commend Delegate Foley, among others, for attending and listening to field studies and workshops that shared the perspective of the lawn care and landscape industries with this transition in mind. We cannot expect considerations to be made for our industry if we do not first make our presence and perspective known to policymakers who craft and vote on measures that could impact our business operations.

Additionally, it is imperative that we remain engaged even when less-than-favorable legislation is passed. It is no secret that California has been at the forefront of forcing the shift to zeroemission equipment. Despite this fact, NALP has continued to use its relationship with the California Air Resource Board (CARB) to advocate for rebates and tax incentives that help small businesses make the transition in a way that is economically viable.

As mentioned previously, this change cannot happen overnight, and our industry must be given adequate time to phase in zero-emission equipment, which is why we are also imploring California policymakers to delay the ban on gas-powered commercial equipment for an additional two years.

Though NALP and state organizations can coordinate and streamline lobbying, there is no substitute for business owners and landscape professionals who live and operate in the districts where potentially devastating legislation has been introduced engaging with their elected officials. Ultimately, the impact of hearing from their constituents will always outweigh the impact of any outside lobbyist. At the end of the day, legislators are subject to the will of the constituents they serve. Keep in mind, they are certainly hearing from our adversaries; make sure they hear from you.

We challenge you, our fellow stakeholders, to engage with policymakers through any means possible. Letters, phone calls, and scheduling face-to-face meetings with lawmakers and their staff. For too long, our industry has been guilty of believing in two myths: one, that someone else was looking out for our interests, and two, that logic and science would rule the day. We must engage to change this pattern. Plus, the relationships built through consistent outreach cannot be understated. If we don’t tell our story, someone else will.

Landscape professionals and the services we provide are essential to maintaining the residential and recreational spaces that everyone enjoys. While the transition to zero-emission equipment is inevitable, we cannot react to changes as they come. We must meet this transition head-on to ensure that it is done in a responsible and sustainable manner. NALP is a leading voice in ensuring that any legislation or regulation accounts for the impact it will have on our members and our industry. We look forward to remaining engaged and fostering lasting relationships with policymakers and stakeholders alike to move toward a transition to zero-emission equipment that works for everyone.

The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) is the national trade organization representing the $98 billion landscape industry employing over 1.4 million employees in the United States. Member companies specialize in lawn care, landscape maintenance, tree care, irrigation and water management. Landscape professionals throughout the nation work daily performing essential services to homes and businesses to maintain their landscapes, sustain the environment and enhance and maintain healthy and safe green spaces.