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Blue state residents blast new law requiring lawnmowers, leaf blowers to go green, 'pandering to a base'

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Blue state residents blast new law requiring lawnmowers, leaf blowers to go green, 'pandering to a base'

Americans in Silicon Valley are torn about whether the long-term climate impact is worth Democratic officials’ green-fueled consumer regulations as gas-powered lawn equipment is phased out for electric yard tools. 

“It sounds like pandering to a base,” Ken, of San Jose, California, told Fox News. “It creates a false sense of security.” 

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But Richard, who previously owned a landscaping business, said he only uses battery-powered yard tools. 

“They’re lighter. They’re easier to maintain,” he said. “If you have the appropriate number of batteries and supplies… I don’t see any problem with it.”

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A California law is regulating gas-powered lawn and garden equipment in 2024.  (NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

A California law is requiring newly-manufactured small off-road engines, including primarily leaf blowers, lawn mowers and other lawn or garden equipment, to produce zero emissions starting in 2024 as part of the blue state’s green-fueled regulations. The law, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021, doesn’t prohibit the use of existing gas-powered lawn tools but begins to phase out the equipment for certain electric machines in 2024, raising concerns for some Americans about consumer choice as they face growing restrictions on gas stoves and traditional cars.

NYC’S PRIZED COAL-FIRED PIZZA SHOPS COULD BE ‘CRUSHED’ BY COSTLY, GREEN-FUELED REGULATIONS: PIZZERIA OWNER

“I think for some uses, some niche cases, electric things are fantastic, but in the case of these high-powered quick uses, I don’t think they’re very good,” Steve said. 

Steve, of San Jose, California, says the U.S. isn’t ready for the green revolution, despite the benefits of switching to certain electric products.  (Fox News/Jon Michael Raasch)

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But Travis said there are downsides to both options. He raised concerns about battery production polluting the air. 

“You’re still polluting the air either way,” Travis said. “It’s just which one’s more beneficial long-term.” 

BIDEN ADMIN AIMS TO PUSH TOWNS, CITIES TO ADOPT GREEN ENERGY BUILDING CODES: ‘VERY SUSPICIOUS’

Supporters have argued that gas-powered lawn and garden equipment emit high pollutants, which can lead to asthma and other illnesses from air pollution. The latest gas-powered lawn mowers running for one hour produce similar emissions as driving a car 100 miles, according to the California Air Resources Board, a state agency that regulates air quality.

But critics have said regulating or eliminating gas-powered products is federal overreach and harms consumer choice. Others have raised ethical concerns about alleged forced child labor in poor conditions to produce batteries.

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Democrat-led cities are proposing measures to ban gas-powered products like stoves, raising concerns among critics that the regulations harm consumer choice. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

And some, like Steve, said a complete switch to electric-powered equipment just isn’t realistic, despite climate benefits. 

“I think that the performance profile is not yet there in terms of electric vehicles or electric tools,” Steve said. “It’s not quite there in a major way to match traditional, conventional oil and gas.”

“I don’t think the United States or the world is able to make the switch, however good and convenient and environmentally friendly,” he said. 

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West

Las Vegas first responders conduct seven-hour rescue of injured climber stranded 600 feet up rock face

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Las Vegas first responders conduct seven-hour rescue of injured climber stranded 600 feet up rock face

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First responders in Nevada carried out a dramatic seven-hour rescue after a climber was seriously injured while stranded roughly 600 feet up a steep rock face near Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) said search and rescue teams were notified around noon Saturday about an injured climber on the “Dream Safari” route along Dark Shadows Wall in Pine Creek.

Authorities said the climber had fallen an estimated 40 to 50 feet, suffering severe head and back injuries.

The victim’s climbing partner and a guide from another climbing party reached the injured climber and controlled the bleeding while awaiting rescue crews.

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Rescuers secured the climber in a titanium litter and lowered the patient in stages down the rock face. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

Four search and rescue officers and a lead climb volunteer were inserted by the department’s AIR3 helicopter several hundred feet above the victim at the top of the route.

Rescuers then rappelled down the rock face, provided medical treatment while suspended mid-face, and secured the patient in a titanium litter.

Crews constructed a lowering system and brought the climber several hundred feet down to the ground through three separate lowering stations, with a rescuer attending to the patient during the descent.

RAFTER VANISHES IN OREGON WILDERNESS, SURVIVES FIVE-DAY ORDEAL BEFORE HELICOPTER RESCUE

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Las Vegas police search and rescue teams spent seven hours lowering an injured climber 600 feet to safety. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

Once at the base, additional volunteers carried the litter to an extraction point where the helicopter returned to airlift the victim to a Bureau of Land Management helipad. 

The climber was then transferred to a ground ambulance and taken to a local hospital.

NORWEGIAN CLIMBER LOOKING TO BECOME FASTEST PERSON TO CLIMB WORLD’S 14 HIGHEST MOUNTAINS

The climber’s helmet was destroyed in the fall but likely saved the person’s life, officials said. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

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LVMPD wrote on Facebook that the entire operation lasted about seven hours from initial insertion to final extraction. 

“Although the victim’s helmet was destroyed during the fall, it likely saved their life,” police said.

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NYPD officer leaps into freezing river to save teenage girl from drowning

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San Francisco, CA

Floats for San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade get finishing touches

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Floats for San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade get finishing touches


SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — ABC7 Eyewitness News got a sneak peak as crews put the finishing touches on the floats you’ll see at Saturday’s San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade.

Since it’s the year of the fire horse, you’ll see a lot of horses and fire symbolism on the floats, housed at Pier 19.

“So Year of the Horse, it’s energy, it’s passion, it’s momentum so a lot of things that we’re really hoping to embody in the new year,” said Stephanie Mufson, owner of San Francisco-based The Parade Guys, which designs and constructs the floats.

She said they’ve been building them for about three months, with the designs starting in November.

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MORE: Bay Area artist brings Year of the Horse statue to life for Golden State Warriors

“We’re in the home stretch,” she said. “We’ve got a couple of days left and we’ve got a nice little team that’s cranking out all the finishing work that needs to go into it.”

Derrick Shavers was sanding some wood that will be painted and become cherry blossom trees on a float.

“It’s exciting,” Shavers said. “I look forward to coming every year and just creating and making things shine and sparkle.”

Bon was painting mountains for a float, making sure everything is perfect in time for the parade.

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MORE: Meet the 2026 San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade mascot, Maverick

“It’s one of the few parades that actually happens at night still,” Bon said. “So we got to make sure all the lighting is in check, and people are safe on the float. It’s all in the details, just for it to walk by you for 10 seconds.”

Ten seconds that bring so much joy to those watching the parade.

Here’s how you can watch the parade on ABC7 Eyewitness News on Saturday, March 7.

Coverage starts at 5 p.m. wherever you stream ABC7.

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SF Chinese New Year Parade 2026: How to watch ABC7 Eyewitness News live coverage


If you’re on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live

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Denver, CO

Grand Junction, Palisade reach Great Eight in Denver

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Grand Junction, Palisade reach Great Eight in Denver


GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — The Class 5A Sweet 16 has arrived, and both Grand Junction and Palisade are still standing with trips to the Great Eight in Denver on the line.

At The Jungle, the No. 2 seed Grand Junction Tigers set the tone early against No. 18 Golden. Defense carried the Tigers from the opening tip as they held the Demons to nine first quarter points while scoring 16 of their own.

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Grand Junction added eight points in the second quarter while Golden managed six, sending the Tigers into halftime with a nine point lead.

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Golden responded in the third quarter, outscoring Grand Junction 16 to 11 to cut the deficit to five entering the fourth. The Tigers answered in the final period, attacking the rim and converting key shots to win the quarter 19 to 10. Grand Junction secured a 54 to 41 victory to protect its home court and advance to the Great Eight in Denver.

Top seeded Palisade also defended its home floor with a trip to Denver at stake. The Bulldogs opened with nine straight points to energize a packed gym, but Frederick settled in and closed the first quarter on a run to tie the game at nine.

Frederick continued to respond in the second quarter and took an eight point lead into halftime.

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Palisade shifted momentum after the break. The Bulldogs tightened defensively, holding Frederick to 21 points in the second half while scoring 39 of their own. Palisade completed the comeback to advance to the Great Eight.

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Colorado Mesa University Women Deliver Historic RMAC Tournament Win

In collegiate action, the top seeded Colorado Mesa University women’s basketball team defeated Colorado School of Mines 96 to 51 in the RMAC Tournament, marking the largest margin of victory in the tournament this century.

Olivia Reed-Thyne led the Mavericks with 34 points on 11 of 15 shooting, her third 30 point performance this season. Mason Rowland added 22 points and Hallie Clark contributed 10 as Colorado Mesa matched a program record with its 31st win. The Mavericks will host the semifinals Friday with a berth in the championship game at stake.

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Colorado Mesa University Men Survive Overtime Thriller

The Colorado Mesa University men’s basketball team faced New Mexico Highlands University for the third time this season. The Mavericks scored 36 first half points and led by four at the break.

New Mexico Highlands shot 50 percent in the second half, received 21 bench points and outscored Colorado Mesa 43 to 39 to force a late push. With the season in the balance, Ty Allred hit a game tying 3 pointer to make it 75 and send the game to overtime. Allred scored seven points in the extra period as Colorado Mesa earned a 91 to 90 victory to advance to the next round.

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