Provided by: San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District

Beginning Earth Day, April 22, San Joaquin Valley residents can replace their old, gasoline-powered lawnmowers with nonpolluting, electric mowers by participating in one of the Valley Air District's most popular annual incentive programs.

Clean Green Yard Machines, part of the Healthy Air Living initiative, offers up to 62% off the purchase of cordless electric mowers in order to reduce air pollution caused by gas-burning lawn-care equipment. One gas mower can pollute as much as 40 newer-model cars and is one of the biggest polluters used at home. 

This year, the trade-in program offers a choice of two different mowers with the retirement of a gas mower:  The Neuton CE5 14-inch mower for just $150, or the CE6 19-inch mower for just $250. Vouchers will be distributed until May 31, while supplies last.

“The District’s Healthy Air Living Initiative asks Valley residents to make air quality a priority in their daily decisions.  Clean Green Yard Machines provides an incentive to help make such a decision,” said Seyed Sadredin, air pollution control officer and executive director.

After receiving a voucher, participants have until May 31 to turn in their old, gas-powered mower (drained of all fluids) at a participating recycler and order a Neuton mower by phone at a huge discount. Neuton will deliver new mowers directly to participants’ homes.

The regular price of a Neuton CE5 cordless electric mower is $399.  The Air District offers the mower at a 62 percent discount. The Neuton CE6 cordless electric mower is regularly priced at $499.  The Air District offers this mower at a 50 percent discount.  Both are mulching mowers with a rear bag and rechargeable battery.

The Air District thanks the following partners and sponsors for making this event possible:  The Neuton Lawn Mower Company, Pacific Gas and & Electric, Valley Clean Air Now, The County of Merced, The County of Tulare, Turlock Irrigation District, City of Ceres, Atwater Iron and Metal, Golden State Metals of Bakersfield, J&H Metals of Hanford, Levi’s Iron and Metal of Fresno, Madera County Resource Management, Modesto Junk Company, Stockton Recycling Center and Tulare County Recycling.

For more information on Clean Green Yard Machines, visit www.valleyair.org or call the nearest District office: in Modesto (209-557-6400); in Fresno, (559-230-6000); or in Bakersfield, (661-392-5500). For information about Neuton mowers, visit www.NeutonPower.com/SJV or Click Here to view the flyer. The Air District will NOT accept calls to register participants until the program’s beginning date of April 22, 2009.