**Oregon's New Generator Regulations: A Costly Burden for Consumers in Crisis Times**
🔴 **Oregon and Federal Regulations: A Double Whammy on Generator Access!** 🌩️
In a bid to curb emissions and enhance safety, Oregon’s Senate Bill 525 alongside the CPSC's new proposed rules for portable generators are poised to reshape the landscape of emergency power supply, but at what cost to consumers? Starting January 1, 2026, Oregon will ban the sale of new gas-powered small nonroad engines, including many portable generators, pushing consumers towards more expensive zero-emission alternatives. Concurrently, the CPSC is mandating that all portable generators must include carbon monoxide detection and automatic shutoff features to combat poisoning incidents.
While these measures aim to improve air quality and safety, they introduce a significant financial burden and reduce the availability of affordable and reliable emergency power solutions. This is particularly concerning for areas like Lane County, where residents recently suffered through a freezing spell with power outages lasting more than a week. The new rules could leave many without access to cost-effective generators, forcing them to invest in high-priced alternatives that may not offer the same reliability and ease of use during prolonged power outages.
**Adding Insult to Injury: Overprotection or Overreach?**
Despite warning labels and common sense, there have been tragic incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning from misuse of generators, such as running them indoors or using charcoal grills for heat inside homes. These are clear violations of safety guidelines, yet the CPSC cites these as reasons for stringent new regulations. It seems like another case of the government trying to protect us from ourselves. But as comedian Ron White famously quipped, "You can't fix stupid." These measures, however costly and restrictive, may not prevent reckless decisions but will definitely limit options for sensible consumers who know how to use their equipment safely.
**What Does This Mean for You?**
Expect to see a sharp decrease in the availability of traditional gas-powered generators and a significant increase in the cost of compliant models. For many, especially those in regions prone to power outages and severe weather, the financial impact of these regulations could be severe, limiting access to essential emergency power sources when they are most needed. As Oregon and the federal government push for cleaner and safer technology, they also risk leaving vulnerable populations in the cold—literally and figuratively—without reliable power during critical times.---
This category includes a wide range of equipment commonly used in residential and commercial settings, such as:
- Lawn mowers
- Chainsaws
- Leaf blowers
- Portable generators
- Other similar equipment powered by small engines
Source:
https://www.cpsc.gov/About-CPSC/Commissioner/Richard-Trumka/Statement/CPSCs-Groundbreaking-Proposed-Rule-for-Portable-Generators-will-Save-Thousands-of-Lives-and-will-Save-1B-a-Year-in-Costs
https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Measures/Overview/SB525
