Governor Hochul signs legislation to create rebate program for commercial landscapers who voluntarily purchase emission-free mowers, equipment

ALBANY, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation to help establish a rebate program for landscapers, schools and local governments swap out their gas powered lawn mowers and other gear to replace it with electric equipment.

According to the Governor’s office, the aim of these newly signed pieces of legislation is to help reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions.

“I will never stop fighting to clean up the air we breathe,” Governor Hochul said.

“The rebate legislation I signed will encourage the purchase of cleaner and quieter battery-powered lawn mowers and other landscaping equipment that will benefit us all.”

Advocates for the environment say these rebates will help with lowering costs for small businesses, while also reducing exposure to fumes.

The two remaining bills signed in this legislative package include:

A.9590A authorizes the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York to provide financing to the New York Climate Exchange, a non-profit consortium led by the State University of New York at Stony Brook, for the construction of facilities on Governors Island that will promote climate education and research. The physical campus is projected to open in 2029.

S.1986 gives school districts more time to pay off clean energy upgrades using money they save on their utility bills by increasing the time period for recovery to up to 25 years, up from the current 18.

New York State Capitol image.