Advocating for a safe future in Lake Oswego

Nov 1, 2024 | Community, Community

November 2024

Why Advocacy?

When we started LOSN in 2013, we got advice from a sister organization: Don’t get involved with policy, it can tear your organization apart! And for many years, we didn’t get involved with much advocacy.

As one of the few environmental groups in Lake Oswego, we take our responsibility seriously. We feel compelled to do as much as we can to promote a safe future, and advocacy can make a big difference.

Public policy can accomplish some things that individual actions cannot.

  • It can support individual action by removing barriers to positive actions. For example, think about the public policy that allows people to sell excess solar to the grid.
  • It can accomplish environmental goals faster. Think about the Clean Air Act, which dramatically reduced pollution by requiring filters in cars and factory smoke stacks.

What is LOSN Advocacy?

At LOSN, we have an advocacy team whose purpose is to review, initiate and promote new policies that build sustainability in Lake Oswego. Here are some of our activities:

  • We review and support what others are doing at the state level. What are the environmental groups or local organizations supporting? We can add our voice.
  • We initiate and promote ideas for Lake Oswego. LOSN has introduced a number of new concepts to Lake Oswego. For example, LOSN was the original supporter of the city’s climate action plan. We had heard of other cities that were adopting these plans and we thought LOSN should have one – so we promoted it.
  • We follow a rigorous vetting process within LOSN. A new policy proposal must run quite the gamut before we decide to support it. Each idea is vetted through our advocacy team – sometimes that takes multiple discussions. We often consult and work with other LOSN committees. Before we make our final decision, we get a consensus yes vote from our entire board.
  • We have an advocacy policy to ensure that our internal conversations and community outreach are respectful and productive.
  • We have partners. There is strength in connection, and we work closely with Respond to Racism, Oswego Lake Watershed Council, MCAT (Mobilizing Climate Action Together, a subgroup of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters and others.
  • We create campaigns to support our favored policies. We mobilize individuals to support, organize letter writing campaigns and talk to local policy makers.

Here are some of the important issues we have worked on:

  • Protecting the city Sustainability Advisory Board and program against budget cuts (in place)
  • A climate action plan for the city (in place)
  • Electric school buses for the Lake Oswego School District (story below)
  • Affordable housing in Lake Oswego (housing will be ready for occupancy soon)
  • Exploring ways to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers (ongoing)
  • Review of new facilities: the wastewater treatment plan and the recreation center
  • State incentives for heat pumps, energy efficiency and electric vehicles (many of these are in place)
  • State laws regarding waste management (new laws are in place)
  • Improving state climate goals (defeated last year – up again at the state legislature)
  • The state climate protection plan (ongoing)

What are we working on now?

  • Affordable housing policies for Lake Oswego
  • Phase out gas-powered leaf blowers in Lake Oswego
  • Testifying in favor of state issues.

How can you get involved?

  • We are always looking for new committee members
  • We are exploring the idea of providing local advocacy training
Contact Us to Get Involved

Electric school buses are coming!

For five years, LOSN has been advocating for electric school buses in our community. Now four will arrive this coming year thanks to a PGE grant awarded to the Lake Oswego School District (LOSD).

Read more about the electric school buses coming to Lake Oswego.

In the coming years, LOSD may evaluate how and when to transition the entire bus fleet to electric. In the meantime, LOSN will continue to promote electric school buses as a healthy, sustainable choice.

Lake Oswego School District: An Electric School Bus Case Study

We have found that impacting policy and making big changes takes a combination of time, often years, and creative problem solving. Sometimes people in leadership aren’t interested in our ideas, and we need to be persuasive. Sometimes we are engaged with public opposition or confusion.

Electric school buses provide an example of an issue we worked on that took time, engagement and persuasion. In this case, the people in leadership were very open to the idea of electric school buses because they are quieter, cleaner and healthier for students, and better for the environment. All the major work was done by the Lake Oswego School District (LOSD), and the credit belongs to them, but LOSN worked to create interest in the issue, supported the school board’s efforts and did public outreach.

In 2019, LOSN board member Duke Castle, heard that some school districts in the US were starting to use electric school buses. Duke has been promoting electric vehicles for years in Lake Oswego and was excited about the prospect of getting electric school buses in Lake Oswego. He contacted LOSD board member John Wallin, who expressed interest.

At that time, electric buses were 3 to 4 times more expensive than diesel and would require greater electric capacity for charging than was available at the former Lake Grove bus barn location. The district had acquired land in the Lakeview industrial park that would meet their needs for a bus barn. Duke spoke with Tony Vandenberg, LOSD Executive Director of Project Management, who was in charge of developing the new facility.

Duke researched and found that private companies like Highland Electric offered financing for electric school buses. A representative from that company told LOSD that their new location would be a good site for electric school buses.

Some of the neighbors near the proposed new site of the bus barn were concerned about noise and added pollution, so the LO Planning Commission did not approve the new location in 2019. The issue was tabled as the school district searched for a different location. By 2023, the district realized that the location they’d found in the Lakeview industrial park was the only one that suited their needs and went back to the Planning Commission.

After more research and discussion, and weighing the pros and cons, the LOSD board unanimously agreed to move forward. That’s when LOSN’s advocacy team got involved. Recognizing this location for the bus barn provided the only path forward for electric buses, we sent an action alert to our mailing list asking for comments to support electric school buses. Many comments were sent to the Planning Commission. In the end, the Planning Commission and City Council concurred with the school district. Almost five years after this project began, the bus barn is now operating in the new location.

Hear from the Electrification Experts

What the City of Lake Oswego Is Doing

Apr 19, 2024 | Success Stories

City of Lake Oswego Park and Recreation equipment and staff

Park and Recreation Department

Submitted by Jeff Munro, Deputy Director

The City of Lake Oswego has already taken important steps to eliminate gas-powered equipment from its contracted landscape services for 200 city-owned sites and has replaced much of the gas-powered equipment used by Parks and Public Works.

The Parks Department’s transition to electric tools aligns with our dedication to maintaining beautiful parks while being kind to our earth and environment. We have added all types of electric equipment including blowers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, push mowers, riding mowers, utility vehicles, and a new Ford F-150 that can power up equipment in the field. Our Parks Multiple Site Landscape Contract also requires that the contractor that maintains some of our facilities & parks only use electric equipment to perform their maintenance tasks.

Our commitment to Sustainability is powering our parks with electric tools and vehicles that reduce emissions and minimize our carbon footprint. The Parks Department will continue to integrate this electric initiative into daily practice and continue to source new equipment and battery types along with continuing with the City Council’s goals on climate and sustainability practices with fleet policies.

Public Works Department

The Public Works Department has had an electric contract with STORM Landscape Services since 2021.

STORM Landscape Services is a commercial landscape company that has 6 crews that are all electric. In a recent interview, Randy Mihaldo shared details about his work with the City and his transition to electric landscaping equipment. Read the full story…

 

 

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Transitioning to Electric Landscaping Equipment: A Case Study with Mountain Park HOA

Apr 19, 2024 | Success Stories

Mountain Park HOA

Submitted by Tod Blankenship, Director of Landscape Stewardship

I personally have been researching and purchasing small battery equipment for over 10 years. When I was with the City of Wilsonville, I began spearheading a transition to Stihl battery-powered small equipment. Stihl has long been a champion of landscape equipment. When it comes to committing to battery-powered equipment there are many factors to be considered beyond the craftsmanship and reliability of the tool itself. It is also a commitment to batteries and chargers. Stihl has been at the forefront of battery technology, and it was an easy decision for us.

Mountain Park HOA (MPHOA) Landscape Stewardship Division has purchased nearly all of the Stihl commercial battery-powered tools available. When it comes to the replacement of any light equipment we will purchase a battery option if available. We have found most of the items suit our needs as long as we have plenty of extra batteries. The disappointment has been the limited backpack blower options.  A new Stihl electric backpack blower is now available and we plan on buying 5 additional blowers this year.  We have also purchased (2) Westward electric low-speed vehicles for use on the road and throughout our 9 miles of trails.   ​
Pruning a hedge

The Electrification Movement Is Spreading Across Oregon

Apr 1, 2024 | Electric Landscaping Equipment, Electrify Your Landscaping / Healthy Yard Care

April 2024

It’s Clean, It’s Quiet, It’s Healthy

Electrify Your Landscaping and Healthy Yard Care

The Lake Oswego Sustainability Network is launching a campaign to support healthy yard care practices and the transition away from gas-powered landscaping equipment (GPLE). Gas-powered landscaping equipment causes significant air and noise pollution that negatively impacts workers, neighborhoods, habitat, and health of the soil.

The campaign will contribute to the achievement of the City’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan goals by supporting the reduction of air and noise pollution in the community. It will include citywide mailers, newsletters, social media, website informational content, letter writing campaigns, and public events.

In this Issue:

  • Reasons to eliminate the use of Gas-powered Landscaping Equipment
  • The Advantages of Electric
  • Healthy Yard Care
  • Residential Solutions
  • What the City of Lake Oswego is doing
  • Case Study – Mountain Park HOA
  • Portland Ban on Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers
  • Education and Training – American Green Zone Alliance
  • How you can help
  • Additional resources
  • Electrify Oregon

Reasons to Eliminate the Use of Gas-Powered Landscaping Equipment

Gas-powered landscaping equipment is responsible for significant air and noise pollution. Operators of this equipment can be particularly affected. Many types of hand-held landscaping equipment use 2-stroke engines, which are the worst offenders.

Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers

EXTREME NOISE

Because it is low-frequency and high-decibel, the noise of a gas-powered blower is significantly louder than an electric one. It permeates walls and negatively impacts up to 90 surrounding homes. The noise contributes to hearing loss, hypertension, and stress.

HEALTH RISKS

2-stroke engines burn a mixture of gasoline and oil, and they produce exhaust fumes laden with high levels of benzene, butadiene, formaldehyde, and fine particulates, all of which are known carcinogens and associated with respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological harm.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

Their toxic waste and smog-forming emissions harm ecosystems and contribute to the climate crisis. Gas leaf blowers create up to 200-mph wind force which sends dust that can contain pollen, mold, animal feces, heavy metals, and chemicals from herbicides and pesticides into the air.

The Advantages of Electric

Electric landscaping  tools are clean, quiet, safe and convenient. They cost less to operate than their gas counterparts.  Used in conjunction with healthy landscaping practices, they are better for the health of the landscapers, the neighborhood, and the environment.  Today’s electric tools are  powerful enough to handle even the biggest jobs.

Some advantages of electric tools:

  • Instant start: no pulling cords, priming engines etc.
  • Excellent cutting, blowing and trimming power
  • Long run times and easy battery swap outs
  • Multiple tools can use the same batteries
  • No refilling fuel tanks, engine oil and gas cans
  • No replacing spark plugs, air filters and fuel filters

Healthy Yard Care

Using electric yard care equipment is important, but how you use that equipment is even more important.  We need to think of our yards as natural living systems.

These systems include a variety of plants, animals and microorganisms, all working together to promote a robust landscape.

Let’s look at some examples:

Lawn Mowers
It’s great to use a quiet, clean electric lawn mower, but what happens when you follow up with an application of artificial fertilizer?  Organisms in the soil are killed by the chemicals.  The natural process that allows worms and soil microorganisms to flourish and naturally support plant growth is lost.  These organisms are providing natural fertilizers and releasing nutrients that support plant growth.  The natural system is destroyed.

Leaf Blowers
It is great to eliminate the noise, but what happens when all of the leaves are removed from the soil?  That material that feeds the soil is lost and the complex system of insects, worms, and microorganisms is disrupted.  Soil health is severely compromised, and healthy soil means a thriving garden.  So it’s fine to blow leaves off of paths, patios and other hard surfaces, but leave the leaves on the soil and support a healthy natural system in your garden.

Electrifying your landscaping tools is very important – but remember to use those tools in a manner that supports a healthy, sustainable garden.

Sustainable Practices

  • Leave the leaves – leaves and other plant matter under trees and shrubs help build mulch, healthy soil, and habitat for pollinators and wildlife.
  • Grasscycling – leave grass clippings on the lawn or use a mulching mower. Clippings are a natural fertilizer, beneficial for the lawn, and will decompose and disappear quickly.
  • Avoid fertilizer and pesticides – most yards do not need these dangerous chemicals which are harmful to wildlife,  insects, and waterways.
  • Plant care – avoid the use of leaf blowers around plantings as they erode and compact the soil, and damage habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators.
  • Help pollinators – plant native plants and flowers with staggered blooming times, and do not use pesticides.
  • Reduce or replace your lawn – lawns take lots of water and labor to maintain.
  • Reduce the size of your lawn or replace it with plants that take less water and maintenance and provide habitat for insects and birds.
  • Use a broom or rake instead of a gas blower to eliminate massive pollution, dust, and noise. They are more efficient tools than many people think.

Here are more resources for tips on healthy landscaping practices:

https://losn.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/All-Electric-Yard-Care-Fact-Sheet-.pdf

https://losn.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Las-ventajas-de-las-herramientas-electricas-de-jardineria.pdf

Here are some local organizations that offer more information, programs, and guidance on Healthy Yard Care. You can sign up to become certified with Backyard Habitat, become a member of Xerces, and get involved with the Oswego Lake Watershed Council.

    

Residential Solutions

As residents, there are many things we can do to help with the transition away from gas-powered equipment. We now understand that gas-powered equipment, especially blowers, harms the health and well-being of all. Eliminating their use around your home and your neighborhood alone will have a significant impact.

Ask your landscaper to use rakes and brooms whenever possible to keep the hardscape areas of your home clean.

If your landscaper needs a power assist, ask them to use electric equipment only.

If your landscaper does not have electric equipment, here are ways you can help them make the transition away from gas-powered equipment:

  • Provide your landscape contractor with electric equipment to be used on your property.
  • Offer to share in the cost: Suggest to your landscaper that if they purchase the equipment, you will provide them with the appropriate battery to use on your property, fully charged and waiting for them on your day of service.
  • If your landscape area is relatively small, corded electric equipment might be a good solution; extension cords and an exterior outlet eliminate the need for charging batteries.
  • Adopt-a-landscaper: If your landscaper services other properties in your area, consider sharing the cost among neighbors.

Residential Landscapers

Many landscaping services in our region already offer electric services. A story from Oswego Yard Care shows why businesses are moving towards this model:

Dan Fidler and Lonny Chavez started Oswego Yard Care in 2019 with the desire to create a landscaping business using quiet renewable energy. They use all-electric battery-powered Ego brand tools that greatly reduce noise pollution and have no gas fumes. Every kWh of energy they use to recharge their equipment is offset with the purchase of clean renewable energy. They have enthusiasm for innovation and insistence on clean energy. Oswego Yard Care maintains and creates beautiful yards by combining seasonal color, native plants, and perennials. Dan and Lonny encourage other landscapers to check out their equipment to experience for themselves how great this electric equipment works. Visit oswegoyard.com for more information.

Here are some landscaping companies that offer alternatives to gas-powered landscaping equipment in Lake Oswego:

  • AK Lawn Maintenance
  • Blessing Landscapes
  • Blossom
  • Clean Air Lawn Care PDX
  • Dennis’ 7 Dees
  • Flower Bug Gardening
  • Neighborhood Gardeners SW
  • Northwest Native Landscapes
  • Oregon Garden Ninjas
  • Oswego Yard Care
  • Phoenix Habitats
  • Plantzy Gardens and Designs
  • Revive Gardens PDX
  • Rogue Ecology
  • SKLD Landscape Design
  • Swamp Rose Ecology
  • Symbiop
  • Terraccord Landscapes
  • Tommy’s Landscape

What the City of Lake Oswego is Doing

The City of Lake Oswego has already taken important steps to eliminate gas-powered equipment from its contracted landscape services for 200 city-owned sites and has replaced much of the gas-powered equipment used by Parks and Public Works.

Parks and Recreation

Jeff Munro, Deputy Director

The Parks Department’s transition to electric tools aligns with our dedication to maintaining beautiful parks while being kind to our earth and environment. We have added all types of electric equipment including blowers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, push mowers, riding mowers, utility vehicles, and a new Ford F-150 that can power up equipment in the field. Our Parks Multiple Site Landscape Contract also requires that the contractor that maintains some of our facilities & parks only use electric equipment to perform their maintenance tasks.

Our commitment to Sustainability is powering our parks with electric tools and vehicles that reduce emissions and minimize our carbon footprint.  The Parks Department will continue to integrate this electric initiative into daily practice and continue to source new equipment and battery types along with continuing with the City Council’s goals on climate and sustainability practices with fleet policies.

Public Works

The Public Works Department has had an electric contract with STORM Landscape Services since 2021.

STORM Landscape Services is a commercial landscape company that has 6 crews that are all electric. In a recent interview, Randy Mihaldo shared details about his work with the City and his transition to electric landscaping equipment. Read the full story…

Transitioning to Electric Landscaping Equipment: A Case Study with Mountain Park HOA

Tod Blankenship, Director of Landscape Stewardship

I personally have been researching and purchasing small battery equipment for over 10 years. When I was with the City of Wilsonville, I began spearheading a transition to Stihl battery-powered small equipment. Stihl has long been a champion of landscape equipment. When it comes to committing to battery-powered equipment there are many factors to be considered beyond the craftsmanship and reliability of the tool itself. It is also a commitment to batteries and chargers. Stihl has been at the forefront of battery technology, and it was an easy decision for us.

MPHOA Landscape Stewardship Division has purchased nearly all of the Stihl commercial battery-powered tools available. When it comes to the replacement of any light equipment we will purchase a battery option if available. We have found most of the items suit our needs as long as we have plenty of extra batteries. The disappointment has been the limited backpack blower options.  A new Stihl electric backpack blower is now available and we plan on buying 5 additional blowers this year.  We have also purchased (2) Westward electric low-speed vehicles for use on the road and throughout our 9 miles of trails.

Portland Ban on Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers

On March 13, 2024, Portland City Council unanimously passed an ordinance phasing out gas-powered leaf blowers citywide. (2-minute video of the 5-0 decision) Starting January 1, 2026, gas blowers will be prohibited for 9 months of the year (Jan-Sep). A full year-round ban will begin on January 1, 2028.

Portland is the second largest city to adopt such an ordinance, behind only Washington, D.C. This ban complements the steps being taken by Multnomah County to transition county leaf blower use to electric before 2025, and the city of Portland’s effort to switch out their stock of gas-powered leaf blowers for quieter and cleaner electric models. It is overwhelmingly clear that the public is asking for gas leaf blowers to be phased out.  When public comments were solicited by the city of Portland, 86% of the 786 commenters supported a prohibition of gas leaf blowers and only 11% opposed it in any way.

For more details see this Oregonian article by Gosia Wozniacka https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2024/03/ban-on-gas-leaf-blowers-passed-in-portland-gradual-phase-out-begins-in-2026.html

For more information on the Equitable Gas Leaf Blower Phase Out visit https://www.portland.gov/bps/climate-action/leaf-blowers/glb-phase-out

Here is a summary of the ordinance https://files.constantcontact.com/3a61126a001/18fa76f4-3c8d-45d3-b52f-42b5ceeee353.pdf and the ordinance itself

KGW news
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1-YuAKMYl8


Quiet Clean PDX was instrumental in the passage of the Portland ordinance to ban gas-powered leaf blowers. QC/PDX is a Portland based volunteer organization that has been working since 2018 to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers.  They have raised awareness of the dangers of gas leaf blowers, advocated for their elimination, and promoted healthier alternatives.

American Green Zone Alliance


American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) is a national leader in low-impact, low-noise landscape solutions. They offer education and training, and they work extensively to field test and certify electric equipment.

In 2021 LOSN partnered with Dan Mabe, founder of AGZA to host an online forum (see link to the forum below). He discussed the air and noise pollution issues with gas-powered equipment, the electric equipment that is available, the cost comparison between gas and electric, and the return on investment. He also discussed what other communities with similar seasons are doing to transition to electric.

In November 2023, AGZA partnered with the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) and the Oregon Landscape Contractors Association (OCLA) to put on a Gas to Electric Symposium on the Nike Campus. Topics included current regulations, low-impact landscape maintenance and operations, funding mechanisms to lower the cost of battery-powered equipment, and commercial equipment demonstrations.

Learn more about AGZA here:
www.agza.net

See the list of AGZA certified electric equipment: https://agza.net/agza-approved-equipment/

Watch the LOSN forum here: https://losn.org/event/%E2%80%8Bmay-2021-online-forum-transitioning-to-electric-landscaping-equipment/

See a short video of the Gas to Electric Symposium here:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrEinIpM_cs

How You Can Help

Your participation is important to the success of our campaign. Here are ways you can help us expedite the transition away from gas-powered landscaping equipment and toward more healthy and sustainable practices.

  • Join the Electrify Your Landscaping and Healthy Yard Care Committee

  • Take part in our letter writing campaign

  • Donate directly to our campaign by selecting Electrify Your Landscaping HERE

 Please email Kathleen Wiens kwiens@losn.org. for more information.

Additional Resources


Electrify LO Joins Electrify Oregon

Electrify LO has now joined other Electrify organizations in towns throughout our state in the network “Electrify Oregon.” This month, these 16 organizations launched a combined website  with information on the basics of an energy-efficient household and how to find contractors and financial incentives to help you electrify. The website is focused on guiding homeowners toward becoming more energy-efficient and climate-friendly in multiple ways.

Electrifying your Life is Climate Action

Jul 29, 2023 | Electrify LO, Home Page, News

Over the last year, the LOSN “Electrify LO” campaign has promoted the importance of moving away from fossil fuels toward electrification of vehicles and homes as among the most important ways we can reduce our carbon footprint and address the climate crisis. Now we can dive into when and how to electrify with information on financial incentives for home electrification and electric vehicles, how to choose a contractor for heat pumps for space conditioning, and how to try out an induction cooktop.

What Incentives Are Available Now? What Other Incentives Are Coming?

On January 1, 2023, new tax credits became available for many home electrification and energy efficiency projects including weatherization, heat pump water heaters, heat pumps for space heating and cooling, electrical panel upgrades, rooftop solar and home battery storage systems.

Later this year (or early 2024) additional upfront discounts (also called rebates) will become available for these improvements for lower-income and some middle-income families. The discounts, which can be combined with the tax credits, can be additionally used for induction and electric stoves, new wiring, and heat pump clothes dryers.

One more discount, available at all income levels, is called a whole home energy reduction rebate and it rewards homeowners for overall energy use reductions.

READ MORE ….

Electrify LO home

Inflation Reduction Act 2022

Mar 25, 2023 | Electrify LO, Home Page, News

What to expect for the rollout of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 – a thoughtful analysis from Energy Trust of Oregon.

The Inflation Reduction Act is expected to help millions of Americans benefit from energy efficiency and renewable energy. But exactly when and how a lot of those benefits will be rolled out is still unclear.

Because of how the legislation was passed, there are a lot of details that still need to be determined, including rebate and tax credit amounts and the specific equipment that will be covered.

Plus, as the largest U.S. investment in climate and clean energy, it’s going to take time for all that money to reach customers and communities, and some programs aren’t expected to roll out until 2024.

Watch the Electrify LO page for updated information.

READ MORE …