Well, the bad news is that our State Legislature has now twice failed to act to protect our health and the environment.  In 2025 and 2026 the Environment Committee passed reasonable approaches to address these super-polluting machines.  However rather than calling for a vote on the bills, leadership simply allowed the bills to die at the end of each session.

The good news is that some towns have picked up the baton dropped by the State.  In May, a fifth Connecticut town restricted gas-powered leaf blowers by prohibiting most uses from late May to the end of September.  The New Canaan town council passed the ordinance by a vote 8 to 4.  However, following the vote, the opposition initiated a successful petition campaign to force a town-wide referendum on the ordinance.  The opposition needed at least 15% of the registered voters in New Canaan to vote NO on the ordinance.  They failed to collect half the needed votes, so the ordinance stands and is in force.

Most people want the use of gas-powered leaf blowers to end. It is such a wasteful and toxic practice. How many times have we seen multiple landscapers, each with a backpack leaf blower, all chasing a handful of leaves from one property to the next?

During the public debate on the New Canaan ordinance, a resident penned a terrific op-ed about this issue. For those unfamiliar with the adverse impacts of gas powered leaf blowers and the unfair toll it places on low-wage landscapers, I encourage you to read this piece, Big Feelings in Little New Canaan.

This town-by-town approach is creating a patchwork of ordinances that landscapers will need to navigate.  Below is a chart of the 5 CT towns and their restrictions.

Image: A chart of the five towns and when gas-powered leaf blowers are restricted.

Of course, the most environmentally favorable and efficient approach would be the passage of a state-wide law to limit or ban the use of these machines. While certain members of the State Environment Committee have advocated for a statewide approach, our legislature has twice shied away from taking such action. Not only has the legislature failed to pass a stop sale or stop use law, Connecticut's state agencies have actively opposed requirements which would require re-tooling with battery power once existing equipment has reached end of life. This State recalcitrance is, remarkably, in direct contravention with Governor Lamont's Lead by Example Executive Order No. 1.

This means that Connecticut towns must do what the State is failing to do and take the necessary action to protect landscaper crews, quality of life, clean air, and the environment. More Connecticut towns are actively considering ordinances to address the toxic emissions and noise of gas-powered leaf blowers. If you would like assistance with a town ordinance, please contact Vincent Giordano volunteer for information.

Vincent Giordano is a Sierra Club member and member of the Legislative Committee.