Posted on 03/04/2021 7:43:50 AM PST by george76
Petaluma has become what officials said is the first city in the country to permanently ban the construction of new gas stations, a move intended to signal a faster transition to zero-emission vehicles ahead of California’s sweeping efforts to curtail climate change.
The Petaluma City Council voted unanimously Monday to prohibit the creation, expansion, reconstruction and relocation of gas stations, encouraging owners to transition to stations that serve electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Petaluma hopes to become carbon neutral by 2030.
“We need to do our part to help mitigate and adapt to our changing weather patterns that exist because of all the carbon we put in the atmosphere,” Councilwoman D’lynda Fischer, who spearheaded the initiative, said Tuesday.
“I hope other cities will follow suit and if they have existing fossil fuel stations that satisfy the needs of their community, they too will decide that they don’t need any more.”
Petaluma currently has 16 gas stations, with one more that’s expected to be built as part of a Safeway. .
The legislation has been in the works for years. It began as a a two-year moratorium on gas station construction after local residents complained about a plan to build a Safeway station across the street from an elementary school and daycare.
Although the ban won’t affect the Safeway gas station, officials said it would prevent future developments from large retailers.
“Companies like Safeway and Costco are putting very large fueling stations in front of their businesses with promotions of selling gas to get people to come and shop at their stores,” Fischer said. “This legislation eliminates that possibility for the future and keeps certified existing mom-and-pop gas stations in business.”
In 2018, former Gov. Jerry Brown signed an executive order intended to get California carbon-neutral by 2045. Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the sale of new gas-powered vehicles would be banned starting in 2035.
No development permit applications for a new gas station were filed during the moratorium period, city officials said. The resolution will become effective 30 days following the council’s approval.
So, drive more to get gas—waste energy. Plus, reduce business tax revenue in the city. Smart moves. /s
I’m speechless.
You know this D’lynda character is a real wacko. But the people there go along with it!
To the delight of existing gas station owners, I’m sure. Their properties just got a lot more valuable in that city.
Electric/gas cars are more deadly to the environment than pure gas cars.
This will not end well.
Doesn’t include charging stations I’m guessing.
Because electricity is carbon-free.
How many of these stations are owned by city council members?
A town near me,Brookline,MA (which is where the Tank Commander,Mike Dukakis,got his start in politics) recently enacted a ban on “fossil fuel” heating systems in all new residential construction.
And that ban also includes all rehab projects on existing residential properties. Don't know if the ban applies to commercial.
Part of the town is very close to the Harvard Medical Area,home of several huge,well known,hospitals as well as the Medical School. That part of Brookline now has several huge structures going up...all of which are owned either by Harvard or those major hospitals.
Ban all things containing oil-containing products in pantaloona!
No gas stations allowed heading to state line?.
Fire season is nearly upon Petaluma. They’ve already turned off electricity to curb the fires at times. How the He[[ does a rational person think that they will be able to charge all the electric cars necessary to escape when told to evacuate when the power is off?
Lerhaps they can solve the feces in the streets by requiring all residents to stop eating.
zero-emission vehicles
No such animal.
A premise looking for acceptance.
What accelerated the auto industry 120 years ago was Pollution. Too much horse manure in the towns. Autos were clean!
Now the Horse manure is back, flowing from the City hall.
I’m sure this has nothing to do with the heavy contributions to the local democrat party by existing gas station owners.../s
Hmmmm.....
Petaluma
Another city run by idiots.
So now the citizens of Petaluma will have to buy gas from some Mexican guy with a pickup truck full of red gas cans in a Home Depot parking lot. Yeah, that will be less polluting.
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