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This update is a special release for Hennepin County's hazardous waste generators who might be interested in applying for battery-powered lawn care equipment grants through the MPCA. This is information that was not included in the fall Generator Newsletter.
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Tired
of smelling like gas after using your landscaping equipment? That smell is from
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other air pollutants, that come from
gas-powered landscaping equipment. These emissions impact employee health and
the air quality in the populated communities the equipment serves. Using electric-powered
equipment has many benefits including: |
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No smell –
Safer for employee health and more pleasant to work with
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Lighter
-- Easy to use, haul up, and carry across distances and multiple locations
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Powerful
-- Equal performance to gas in most applications
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Saves money
-- No more buying gas. Save lost productivity from less maintenance and
time spent in the shop as well down time from flooding.
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Safer for employees
-- Reduces respiratory health impacts, lessens hearing loss, eases cord
and lifting-related injuries, and reduces cuts and burns
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Battery life - Often
a short charge time and battery lasts for hours
Up to $300,000 in grant funding
available to switch from your old, 2-cycle gasoline to electric-powered
landscaping equipment.
The maximum grant amount is
$24,000. There is 50% matching funds for scrapping your equipment to be
replaced, and a 70% match to keep your current equipment. Example equipment:
pole saws, string or hedge trimmers, leaf and backpack blowers, mowers, and
chain saws.
Eligible applicants include all
Minnesota-based businesses under 500 employees, governmental agencies,
educational institutions, non-profits, or trade groups/associations. Special
consideration given for targeted applicants in environmental justice and highly
urbanized areas.
The easy, 2-page application has
a calculator to help you figure out emissions --
all you need to know is the horsepower, hours used annually, and estimated
remaining life left on your gas engine. The calculator does the rest!
Apply now! Deadline: December 5, 2018.
Projects of all sizes encouraged
to apply! Find grant materials on the MPCA grants to improve air webpage. For
general questions, contact kari.cantarero@state.mn.us or 651-757-2875.
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