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Mountain View recently received an award for the leadership it took on climate action by creating an innovative landscaping program that promotes the use of zero-emission electric tools.
The Institute for Local Government awarded Mountain View with a 2025 Beacon Leadership and Innovation Award last month, recognizing the city’s zero-emission landscaping training and tool lending program that was launched last year at the Day Worker Center, a local nonprofit that connects day laborers with employers.
The city provided nearly $20,000 in funding for the program, which the Day Worker Center used to purchase electric gardening tools, according to a city press release. The Day Worker Center also organized training sessions in English and Spanish for day laborers to learn how to use the tools, which include electric lawnmowers, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers and chainsaws.
“Through our partnership with the Day Worker Center, we launched a landscaping training and tool lending program that expands skills, promotes clean energy, and creates a healthier environment for workers and the community,” Mayor Ellen Kamei said in the press release.
Five years ago, Mountain View embarked on an ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reach carbon neutrality by 2045, as part of a citywide effort to address climate change.
According to the press release, the tool lending program eliminates 232 pounds of toxic emissions by using battery-powered tools and averts 10 gallons of spilled gas each year. The program also reduces greenhouse gas emissions at a rate of 835 pounds of carbon dioxide avoided per year.
Mountain View is one of five local government agencies in the state to receive a 2025 Leadership in Innovation Beacon Award, according to the press release.
“This award is just one way we thank and celebrate our local government partners for their proactive efforts in developing innovative solutions to make California more sustainable and resilient,” Erica Manuel, ILG CEO and executive director, said in the press release.
Zero emissions… doesn’t include noise pollution. I cannot believe neighbors who run power tools on a Saturday. You can hear it for blocks around. Let people rest on the weekend.
i can’t beleive MV has not banned gasoline powered leaf blowers.
What is the excuse?
personally i dont see the point in workers blowing leaves onto my side of the street only to have them blown back by different gardeners the next day.
Add in the airborne pollution of dust, mold and doggy do together with loud noise and gas fumes two or three morings per week. Joy.