Bay Area City the First in the US to Ban New Gas Stations

The city council of Petaluma voted unanimously to make this small North Bay city the first in the nation to ban the construction of new gas stations.

The city of Petaluma currently has 15 gas stations, and city officials have decided they don’t need any new ones.

The city council voted unanimously to make this small North Bay city the first in the nation to ban the construction of new gas stations.

SFGATE reports that Petaluma is also targeting zero emissions by 2030, and encouraging existing gas stations to transition to battery and hydrogen cell stations.

"Within Petaluma there are multiple gas stations located within a 5-minute drive of every existing residence," the resolution states. "Therefore, there are adequate gas stations to serve existing and future internal combustion vehicles to the extent as they continue to exist."

Existing gas stations will not be allowed to add more pumps, but they can add more infrastructure for electric vehicles.

Environmental nonprofit Stand.earth supported the campaign, hoping that the decision will encourage similar rulings across the state.

Their campaign director, Matt Krogh, believes new gas stations will have a short shelf life, especially in California, where state climate targets are required by law.

Last year California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order banning the sale of new cars with an internal combustion engine starting in 2035.

Nikola Gemeš

Highlights • 10 years of writing and editing experience Obsessed with home decor trends, plant parenting, cleaning, and other lifestyle topics. • Expertise in content marketing and email strategy for brands and small businesses About Nikola Gemeš Nikola Gemeš, an electrical engineer turned sustainability consultant, bridges the gap between complex environmental concepts and GreenCitizen readers with his well-researched, accurate content. His commitment to sustainability extends from his professional life to personal practices of recycling and home-grown food. An adventurer at heart, Nikola enjoys hiking, white-water sports, and pocket knife collecting. At Green Citizen, he's instrumental in presenting the best sustainable brands, aiding well-informed decision-making. He firmly believes in the collective power of individuals, experts, businesses, and governments to foster a world where sustainability, life quality, economic prosperity, diversity, mental health, and gender equality are core values. Experience Nikola Gemeš has a rich and diverse background in electrical engineering, which he utilizes to break down complex sustainability topics for his readers. His unique blend of technical knowledge and communicative skills has made him a crucial part of GreenCitizen. Nikola's experience has honed his ability to navigate through intricate data and research, ensuring the content he delivers is both accurate and reliable. His passion for educating and informing is palpable in the impact he has made on Green Citizen's readership. Outside of his professional endeavors, Nikola is deeply committed to environmental conservation in his personal life. This commitment is reflected in his everyday activities, from recycling to cultivating his own food. His hands-on approach to sustainability gives him a first-hand understanding of practical conservation efforts, further enriching the content he produces. These personal experiences often seep into his work, making it relatable and engaging for readers. Nikola's key role extends to assessing and presenting sustainable brands to his audience. His comprehensive grasp of sustainability allows him to critically evaluate and offer the best environmentally-friendly options available on the market. He aids readers in making informed decisions that have a positive impact on both their lives and the environment. His belief in collective efforts towards a sustainable world is evident in his work, as he consistently promotes values of quality life, economic prosperity, diversity, mental health, and gender equality.