Someone commented that the bann on small engines doesn't relate to how we maintain our power lines. For me the greater picture is how government mismanges almost everything (but they did get a vacinne out really fast under someone's watch). I own a electric chain saw, weed blower, and, get it, lawn mower. I didn't need the Government to tell me to buy them....
I also own a Nissan Leaf, 2011.
If the Government really cared about being "green" they would have regulated the battery side of these things more. Its a shame my 2011 leaf can use a 2022 Leaf Battery but I can't get own from Nissan (or anyone else) new. Otherwise this would easily be a 500,000 mile car someday. Instead it'll get scrapped due to a degraded near non replaceable (only due to no one supporting it) battery.
I get the "no politics" policy, but, face it, the politics of it make a lot of choices for us regardless if we like it or not.
My post about the hazard of the power lines here in Cali stands. Its horrid (lack of proper care) and its NOT a lack of money being spent.
I would say its a combination of people being lazy and mismanaged (regulated at times by the Government).
I've driving right thru many of the devastating wildfire areas both before, during, and after the fires. People will have dead tall grass running right up to their homes/fences/trees going right up to their homes. They won't bother before, during, or after the fire (most won't) to clear it. This is simply ignorant or lazy. Not regulating it is improper managment. Spending a huge amount of resources to try and stop a fire once it happens is neglect (from a Government view, not from the person fighting it view).
I call it the "politics of life"....
But, one thing we need to figure out, is the battery approach the right one? Massive mines being dug to keep up the pace using a lot of fossil fuels to dig/transport and then to power those electronics with no real recycle program in place once they "go bad".... Putting those "precious" metals back in the dirt...
Yes this is worth discussing.
Oh, and my insurance company won't insure my property due to fires. A real life consequence to other people choices. Yet my actual fire hazard is extremly low due to proper clearing...