California City To Become First To Ban New Gas Stations

Petaluma, California's city council unanimously voted to ban new gas stations, building on a two-year moratorium passed in early 2019.

According to Gizmodo, the council must approve the measure again at another reading on Monday. When it does, the bill will go into effect immediately, making Petaluma the first in the country to permanently halt the construction of new gas stations.

The decision is tied to the city’s plan to get to zero emissions by 2030.

The ban will not only stop the city from approving any more stations within its limits, but also prevent currently-existing stations from adding more pumps. They can, however, add more infrastructure for electric cars.

Petaluma is just 15 square miles in size, and is currently home to 16 gas stations with another recently approved one on the way. City officials say that’s more than enough for all 61,000 current residents and future ones, too.