WASHINGTON – The new buzz around the National Mall is cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

And while emissions are cut, so is grass with propane-powered mowers as part of a new alternative fuel program.

“These mowers are about 25 percent more fuel efficient and cut emissions practically in half,” says Roy Willis, president and CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council.

On Monday, that group donated six propane powered mowers to the National Park Service to maintain the grounds around the monuments around the National Mall.

“They were using old diesel mowers,” Willis says.

“Quite frankly, they were high-pollutant equipment, so this is going to help clean up the air.”

Each of the six propane-fueled lawn mowers will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent, which includes lowering carbon monoxide emissions by 80 percent. The new mowers also should be less expensive for the National Mall and Memorial Parks to maintain.

PERC’s donation amounts to approximately $70,000 in equipment.

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