REP. CORREA INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES, FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CRISIS
Bill Will Establish Tax Credit To Support Small Businesses, Including Landscapers and Lawn Care, Meet Evolving Market, Climate Demands
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representative Lou Correa (CA-46) introduced the Promoting Reduction of Emissions Through Landscaping Equipment Act, legislation to create a federal tax credit to enable local small businesses, including landscaping and lawn care businesses of all sizes, to transition to zero-emission equipment more easily and without financial burden.
Specifically, it would supplement the purchase of climate-friendly equipment for landscaping and lawn care businesses with a tax credit—and allow for improvements in local air quality, reduction of noise pollution, protection of workers’ health, and reduced reliance on gas and diesel, which are subject to major price spikes.
“As our economy moves towards greener and cleaner energy sources, we can’t leave behind our small business owners, many of whom are small firms with just one owner and a handful of employees, right here on Main Street,” Correa said. “This bill will transform businesses that rely on gas- and diesel-powered equipment into leaders of the green economy transition—and better yet, ensure a competitive and innovative market that will ultimately benefit consumers.”
The legislation amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish a tax credit for local small businesses, including landscaping and lawn care businesses. Currently, there are over 300 restrictions on gas-powered lawn equipment across the country, as more localities recognize the need to transition to quieter, less polluting zero-emission equipment. The bill will assist landscaping businesses adapt to local ordinances and consumer demand for better, cleaner, and quieter equipment while reducing their costs over time through lower maintenance expenses and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
“This bill, which would help landscape companies offset some of the cost of transitioning from gas to zero-emission equipment, is an important model for legislation supporting the business community while also protecting the environment,” said Britt Wood, CEO of the National Association of Landscape Professionals. “We applaud Rep. Correa for his leadership on this important issue.”
This bill provides a 40% credit on the purchase of zero-emission equipment, such as mowers, leaf blowers, hedgers, and accessories up to $25,000 every year and up to $100,000 over the course of 10 consecutive years. The tax credit, which applies to any equipment purchased on or after January 1, 2023, also extends to retrofitting equipment that transforms gas-powered devices to zero-emission.
“Rep. Correa’s bill will help reduce harmful pollution and protect the health of workers, homeowners and tenants by incentivizing landscaping businesses to move to quieter, zero-emission lawnmowers, leaf blowers and other small machinery,” said Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs, at the Environmental Defense Fund. “This legislation is a win for small businesses, healthy communities and our climate.”
“A zero-emission future is urgently needed to improve air quality and protect health. Small off-road engines, including lawn and landscaping equipment, are highly polluting and put communities at risk,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “Pollution impacts everyone’s health, but it is particularly dangerous for those who spend time outdoors like children or the outdoor workers operating the equipment. Incentivizing the transition to zero-emission equipment will make progress toward improving air quality and protecting the health of workers and communities across the country.”
This legislation has been endorsed by: National Association of Landscape Professionals, American Lung Association, Environmental Defense Fund, Earthjustice, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Sierra Club, American Green Zone Alliance, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, AmericanHort, California Landscape Contractors Association, California Alliance for Golf, California Golf Course Owners Association, Golf Course Superintendents Association of Northern California, Golf Course Superintendents Association of Southern California, Colorado Nursery & Greenhouse Association, Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association, Georgia Urban Ag Council, Georgia Green Industry Association, Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association, Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, Kansas Nursery and Landscape Association, Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association, Maine Landscape and Nursery Association, Maryland Nursery, Landscape, and Greenhouse Association, Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association, Inc., Michigan Green Industry Association, Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association, Montana Nursery & Landscape Association, New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association, New Jersey Nursery & Landscape Association, New York State Nursery and Landscape Association, NorCal Sports Field Management Association, Ohio Green Industry Association, Oregon Association of Nurseries, Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association, Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association, Washington Association of Landscape Professionals, Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association, West Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association, and Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association.
“Lawn, garden, and landscaping equipment contribute significant amounts of toxic fumes and pollutants into the air of neighborhoods across the country,” said Earthjustice Legislative Representative Athena Motavvef. “More harmful emissions and dirty air mean poorer health outcomes for those living in impacted communities. This bill will help businesses quickly and affordably transition to zero-emission equipment that will protect both workers and community members from dangerous contaminants. We thank Congressman Correa for fighting to safeguard the air, public health, and well-being of our families.”
“Beautifying our landscapes should not come at the expense of the workers that maintain them or the future of our climate. Much of the landscaping equipment used to maintain our lawns and gardens are also sources of dangerous air pollution that contribute to climate change and harm people’s health, especially landscape workers who are exposed frequently while on the job,” said Xavier Boatright, Deputy Legislative Director of Clean Energy and Electrification at The Sierra Club. “This tax credit will make it easier for business-owners to afford and purchase non-polluting equipment, so we all can enjoy our lawns and gardens without the unintended consequences of emissions.”
“On behalf of the more than 27 million people in the United States with asthma, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is pleased to support the Promoting Reduction of Emissions through Landscaping Equipment Act,” said Kenneth Mendez, President and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. “Gasoline-powered landscaping equipment is a significant source of localized air pollution from the fine particulate matter and toxic and carcinogenic exhaust produced by the equipment. Exposure to this kind of air pollution is a risk factor for both developing and exacerbating asthma. Ten people die every day from asthma, and it is important we do everything we can through legislation like this to reduce asthma attacks and deaths from asthma.”
“Landscape professionals manage our nation’s green spaces and, as caretakers of the environment, want to move to cleaner energy and low-emission equipment to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Mike Bogan, former President of the National Association of Landscape Professionals, and current CEO of LandCare. “This bill, introduced by Rep. Correa, helps companies offset the significant burden of transitioning to battery-powered equipment more quickly, which is a win for business, consumers and the environment.”
“Landscape companies care for our nation’s green spaces and want to transition to low-emission equipment to reduce their carbon footprint,” said Jackie Ishimaru Gachina, CEO of Gachina Landscape Management. “This bill, introduced by Rep. Correa, helps companies offset some of the costs of transitioning to battery-powered equipment more quickly, which is a win for business and the environment.”
Led by Rep. Correa, this legislation has been co-sponsored by Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.-At Large), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), and David Trone (MD-06).
You can find the full text of the legislation HERE.
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