The city of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability is proposing a $750,000 giveaway for residents who purchase battery-powered lawn equipment. This is another way the city is yielding to the misguided temptation to attempt large-scale social reforms with resources better suited for bread-and-butter issues.
Two years ago, the city considered an outright ban on gas-powered lawn equipment within the city limits. We opposed that ban because it removed a simple freedom, and because there wasn’t evidence that it would actually reduce emissions. After all, those battery-powered trimmers and mowers have to charge on a grid powered largely by fossil fuels. And what about the landscape foreman who leaves his diesel truck running, or uses a generator, so he can charge all those batteries? We need more research about the real-world impact here.
The proposed ban was rendered moot, however, once the state Legislature passed a law that prevents city governments from banning the use of equipment based on its fuel source. That, like other actions coming out of Austin, was a transparent favor to big-money oil and gas interests. But the city’s efforts are equally imprudent. Remember, this is a city that has trouble delivering basic services reliably and efficiently, one that can’t get the permitting right for its permitting office, and one that owes $3 billion for police and fire pensions with no plan yet for how to raise the money.
And yet, there seems to be a persistent impulse on Marilla Street to tackle complicated social issues with city programs, whether it’s a home-buying lottery or guaranteed income. The city of Dallas needs to get the basics right before it tries to scale social change on other issues. That is better left to the federal government and its wider pool of expertise and resources.
There’s no doubt that gas-powered equipment like lawn mowers and leaf blowers are loud and annoying. And it’s laudable for the city to set environmental goals. But market forces are already driving a transition to battery power. This city handout would be largely symbolic. Dallas should stop making symbolic gestures toward progressive values with taxpayer money.
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