Small landscapers in Portland can get up to $2,200 back for ditching a gas leaf blower and buying an electric one.

The reimbursement comes through the Portland Electric Landscaping Initiative, a program funded by the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) and run by the Pollution Prevention Resource Center (PPRC). It targets businesses with five or fewer employees that work within city limits, according to the program's website.

The incentive comes as Portland phases out gas blowers on a tight timeline. The city's gas leaf blower policy, which took effect Jan. 1, allows gas blowers only from October through December in 2026 and 2027. In 2028, gas leaf blowers will be banned year-round. Property owners found in violation during the phase-in period receive warnings; penalties begin in 2028. The ban covers handheld and backpack blowers but not walk-behind or tow-behind models.

The program was on display at a training session at the East Portland Community Center. Yuri Ramirez, a Clean Air Lawn Care franchise owner who led the session, walked small-business landscapers through battery management, recharging logistics and how to market electric-only services, the city said.

Ramirez acknowledged that some landscapers might still reach for gas equipment on certain jobs but encouraged attendees to support each other through the transition.

Landscaper Gabriel Zirkle said he switched to electric years ago after a client complained about the noise at the end of a long day. He called the reimbursement program a relief for small operators facing steep upfront costs.

"This is a wonderful program that's absorbing some of the initial costs for us to buy into the technology," Zirkle said. "Once we're bought in, we're just going to continue it."

Professional-grade electric blowers can be significantly more expensive than gas models, the city noted. Arborist Tyler Zuniga of North American Training Solutions said it is hard to spend money on a tool that does not immediately generate profit. But Zuniga, who switched to battery-powered chainsaws three years ago for safety reasons, called the city's help "a big eye-opener."

Solo design-build landscaper Stephen Virell described the shift to electric as "the industry's biggest leap forward" in his 30-year career, but one that "takes intention." Electric tools require batteries, charging systems and careful daily planning, Zirkle added.

Landscapers at the training also pointed to health benefits. Gas blowers expose operators to noise that can damage hearing, fumes that may cause respiratory problems and vibrations that rattle joints, the city's account of the session noted.

As of late September, the PPRC had trained 76 landscapers in five sessions — three in English and two in Spanish — and reimbursed 46 for electric blower purchases, according to an EcoBiz Instagram post.

To qualify, businesses must complete a training, recycle a gas blower through an approved recycler and submit a purchase receipt dated Jan. 1, 2026, or later. The reimbursement covers one battery-powered leaf blower and backup battery packs.

Landscapers can join the waitlist for future trainings at the program's sign-up page.